However, as many as 30 percent of the weevil grubs in fallen fruit may be killed as sunscald heats and dries the fruit. 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 nightshade 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. Weevil Avoid locations with pepper weevil infestations when selecting a site for a new pepper crop.
Scout fields weekly beginning at transplanting or before firstbloom.
Also scout nightshade plants and old pepper residue in the area before planting to determine if a pre-plant cleanup is needed. 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. If weevils infest early, begin controls at first bloom to prevent an early build up of pepper weevils. 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.