The slightest wobble, especially in the case of pot plants, spells trouble. It could be big trouble, too, because an adult vine weevil will lay up to 1,500 eggs in a short summer season. The black vine weevil problem has increased dramatically in recent years and the pest is now regarded as the gardener's public enemy number one. As so often happens, of course, an increasing pest problem is apt to produce new ways of dealing with it and there are now a number of effective treatments. The use of nematodes as a biological control has been possible for some years but soil temperature is a controlling factor here, largely restricting their use to greenhouses and the like.
Chemical warfare can be very effective.
New this year is Provado, an easy to mix chemical which can be watered into the compost around a plant, preferably as a prevention but also to attack existing infestations. One treatment lasts for six months. Armillatox is another chemical now marketed as a weevil killer. Those who dislike handling chemicals can buy compost containing an anti-weevil ingredient and this is particularly useful for container plants. Winter is coming and the evil weevils will lie low but don't be fooled.