How to identify and manage root weevils

SALT LAKE CITY — Are root weevils invading your yard and attacking your plants? You may have this problem if you’re growing small fruit plants here in Utah.

To help you identify and control these pests, here are some tips from KSL Greenhouse Hosts Taun Beddes and Maria Shilaos.

Root weevils are small, dark-colored beetles that are part of the weevil group. Beddes says the biggest indicator of whether these are in your yard is if the leaves on your bushes or perennials are scalloped around the edges.

“Even though the leaf scalloping is not really that ornamental, it’s the babies that are doing most of the damage… What will happen is the adults lay eggs and they start feeding on the roots of the bush,” he said.

Scalloped leaves should not be left alone. If you don’t do anything about it, there is a high chance that your bushes will die in three to four years. If the weevils keep feeding on them, they can’t get nutrients or enough water out of the soil. Therefore, the sooner you notice those abnormal leaves, the better.

The best way to control root weevils is by getting rid of the adults. This will halt their life cycle and prevent any more from producing.

“Because the beetles don’t have a definite life cycle… you need to spray once a week for four or five weeks to actually eliminate all of them,” Beddes said.

The KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. You can follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.