Vine weevil grubs

rogercoleman192

I am emptying out my pots & hanging baskets of summer bedding for winter. I usually put all old compost into composter, but this year I have noticed vine weevil grubs in pots (& no roots on plants). It is ok to put old compost into composter, or will grubs survive? Do I have to take old compost to council recycling tip?. 

Dovefromabove

I spread it out on a plastic sheet on the lawn and let the birds have them ... they're caviar for birds ... then I put the compost on the veg patch. 

AnniD

I am paranoid about vine weevil grubs ! Personally l would make sure l had as many of the little blighters as possible and take the lot to the tip.
We don't seem to have as many birds around as Dove, and l can imagine them making a bid for freedom if l left them on a sheet.
I'm not sure if they would survive in a domestic compost bin? 

Loxley

I'm not recommending it, but once I tried microwaving vine weevil infested compost. The smell that emanated was not worth avoiding the trip to Wilkos to buy new compost!

Palustris

Don't put the infested compost on your heap. the grubs will hatch into adults and then you are just compounding the problem for the future.

Even after letting the birds get at it, I would be very reluctant to re-use it. Just one missed grub can lead to hundreds of future adults.

B3

They're awful wet when you squish them. I got one in the eye once. 😣

Alchemist

Out of curiosity, I was told drowning the compost for a day kills all the grubs and eggs by starving them of oxygen.....Could this trick be used here? 

Big Blue Sky

I wonder if now would be a good time for nematodes treatment for the borders? 🤔
The temperature is expected to stay above freezing for quite a while and the soil is nice and wet. 
I’ve had a few roses severely damaged by the vine weevils this summer 🤨