Weevil ridden fruit trees

[minerva7]

My poor garden.
Novice gardener please be gentle. New build garden. 4 years old. Basically just dirt under the grass so I composted the soil well and added topsoil.
In a row with gaps of about 2 foot between I have 3 fruit trees. Pear plum and apple in that order. Planted 3 years ago.
Ive just found out that my pear and plum trees are absolutely crawling with weevils. So so many all over them
even in daylight. For the moment my apple tree is the only healthy one.
What are my options please anyone?

Bumping. Anyone?

Bumping. Anyone?

Can you share a picture of what these insects look like?

I can get a picture in the morning.
a gardener friend looked and said it was weevils. Said he’d never seen a case so bad. He’s worked his whole life in nature so I take his word for it. However I see online that there are quite a few different ones that they could be so I’ll certainly do that.

I’ve been trying all day but can’t attach a photo. Not sure why I’ve done it a million times before.
Photo taken on an iPhone. Either says it’s sensitive or not the right size.
Im stumped.

Can anyone give me any advice without a photo? I give up trying to attach it.
Like I said I trust they are weevils as the person that looked at it is a professional gardener.
I just need some advice.

Could you try asking at a garden centre? A good one that can offer advice.

Oh that’s a good idea thanks! I didn’t think of that.

So apparently nematodes are the answer. Can anyone recommend any please? This is all totally new to me.

Do they look like these https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&hs=vSvp&sca_esv=7210f249a5686666&sxsrf=ANbL-n5PDk1AfO2hOj8P27R8DCPi6c8oNg:1779302908299&udm=2&fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKpaEWjvZ2Py1XXV8d8KvlI3p-ML-906rRL_m6h4jR-tdCeKIwp94h-QiJ4lJfObsqUPixp6KuAej6LdEw-ul8fud3FiyoYcNHDn3HZ8mQ6T-ckdOlkfthMcAd5uMRwsZYjn_umCTETpZ0MlqjQ3jj6aU2YNhF3WIfCt5zMJugIboT7gnQP7QtzrBFLK8H8LGGlhRBepA&q=vine+weevils+uk&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjc06_uw8iUAxWyXUEAHcTCA74QtKgLegQIGhAB&biw=1920&bih=955&dpr=1 (Sorry about the fugly link) Rotten blighters. You can buy Provado in garden centres if it is these, or nematodes are available from Amazon (probably other sites available) You haven't said what damage your trees have suffered - adult weevils will chew chunks out of the leaf edges, the grubs are in the rootball eating the fine fibrous roots so you won't see those without digging.

You can get nematodes online, I use Nematodes direct, make sure you order the one for weevils.

I don't want to overwhelm a newbie but there are companion plants you could plant near your trees, these will attract other insects that will eat the weevils. Marigolds, alyssum and calendula are a good start. Normally you can grow them from seed but perhaps look for some plants at the garden centre to get things moving.

Yes exactly like them. When you lightly shake the tree so many of them fall out. There must be hundreds of them in there. And that’s in the daytime, I read the adults usually only climb at night? There are minimal leaves left on
one tree. The other still looks relatively healthy. I dread to think what’s going on at the roots. I did see the leaves munched last year but naively thought that was normal for some insects to eat leaves.

Thank you this is great advice. Also about the plants. I’ll get some of them and fill the earth around and between the trees with them.
Could you please advise me on how much nematodes I might need for 2 dwarf trees? And are they easy to use?

Just so you know, the nematodes will attack the grubs in the soil (you water the nematode liquid onto the soil where the roots are) but they won't do anything about the adults which are the ones eating your trees (and laying loads of eggs). What I would do, as well as the nematodes - and do treat all three trees not just the worst affected ones - is get a bucket and pick off as many weevils as you can. Maybe hold the bucket under a branch and shake it or brush down the leaves with your hand. Get as many as you can, and keep checking periodically for any more appearing. Fun fact: all adult vine weevils are female! They don't need any lads around to create mayhem. The caaaaahs.

You can also get different nematode traps for the adults. I would do both, this and the ones for grubs - they can cause a lot of damage. You may need to re-treat later in the year too and do surrounding plants too. The seem to especially like strawberries and primroses here. www.greengardener.co.uk/product/nematop-adult-vine-weevil-trap/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20296047563&gbraid=0AAAAADBQEnci_vbzPieJ8TaWgclqAv4uu&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzdS5lOzIlAMVkJNQBh29vgKdEAAYASAAEgLJ4_D_BwE

From Nematodes direct you will only need the smallest pack, which covers 12 square metres. I notice they do a spring and autumn package, so they will send you one pack now and another one in the autumn. As your infestation is bad I would go for that option. I notice they do traps for the adults too.

The packs need to be put in the fridge and need to be used within a week or two. You just mix the powder with water and water it in around the trees. You might need a new rose on your watering can, one with the biggest holes you can find.

Here's the link, but you might find them cheaper elsewhere. Don't despair, it might look dire but you can get this under control.

https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/8-vine-weevil-killer-nematodes

My garden is infested with these. I tend to live and let live with plants, but enough is enough! I applied nematodes in the autumn, but some critters obviously survived as some new foliage is getting eaten, so I applied poison in the worst-hit areas recently. I don't think there is a quick solution that will get them all.

Great advice thank you so much. When I have a bucket of adults what do I do with them?

Also 🤣 at the caaaahs

Thank you so much. Looks like a great site so I’ve gone ahead and ordered from here. Using @TonTonMacoute‘s advice (thank you so much also🙏🏻)

I’ve ordered the summer and autumn treatment for 12 sq metres. I’ve also ordered 2 traps, so I can place one on the bed that runs diagonally to the one with the trees. That one has a lovely rhododendron as well as a couple of other shrubs, and I’m worried they will be there too.

Also ordered the rose so they are dispersed properly.

I’m so so grateful for the lovely people that have helped me out. Much appreciated 🙏🏻

Hopefully I can get a handle on the wee buggers before they eat my whole garden.