Recommended cultural controls include the destruction of pepper residue immediately after the last harvest, removal of pepper culls which can harbor weevils inside, making sure transplants aren t infested, and the removal of night-shade from pepper fields and field margins. If new peppers are planted next to old peppers then the old peppers should be sprayed before plowing because destruction of the old host material can trigger a migration of weevils to the new pepper planting. Because host plant availability largely determines weevil population level, the most effective control methods, other than pesticides, are eliminating pepper culls and secondary host plants such as nightshade. Parasites have been found in oxamyltreated plots where an action threshold for insecticide application was used, so parasitism can complement insecticide controls. Avoid locations with pepper weevil infestations when selecting sites for a new pepper crop.
Scout fields weekly beginning at transplanting or before first bloom.
Avoid carry-over of weevils from one season to the next. This is a problem where peppers are cut back to produce a second crop or crop residue is left standing after harvest. If weevils infest early, begin controls at first bloom to prevent an early build-up of pepper weevil. Target insecticide sprays at the adults by getting good spray coverage and timing applications with the presence of adults or their emergence from fallen fruit. Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Serviceserve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color,sex, religion or national origin.