Fig Tree Root System Eaten by Lawn Bugs (forum)

Correy starts with ...
It is the start of autumn and our fig tree in a pot was looking very sick. When we dug up the pot we noticed that there were lawn bugs feasting on the root system and killing our fig.

We have totally re-potted and fed the bugs to the birds. Any ideas how to stop this from happening again?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3
Picture: 4
Picture: 5
Picture: 6
Picture: 7
Picture: 8

Time: 4th March 2008 3:15pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Correy
Woolloongabba, QLD
#UserID: 3
Posts: 493
View All Correy's Edible Fruit Trees

aNON says...
CHLORPYRIFOS DRENCH

Time: 4th March 2008 3:57pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author aNON
 
#UserID: 700
Posts: 194
View All aNON's Edible Fruit Trees

Leona says...
I dont know Correy, but I get the same problem, also with the ones I have planted. Not only do I get those pesky, ugly looking grubs but also these other weird looking insects, that feed off the roots (they looked similar to earwigs and were eating my cape gooseberry roots). I will be watching eagerly, to see if there is any chemical free solution. Btw, I did resort to lawn beetle and grub killer, on my lawn last year, and it made little or no difference.

Time: 4th March 2008 4:28pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
 
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

John says...
Hello Corey, those bugs to me look like what we get done here to. They seem to be the prelude to a very large beetle. They seem to be in the millions here but dont effect my trees. They do however come out at night and luv to fed on grass. the birds then strach around looking for these crubs, which inturn damage lawns. There is no organics for this one that I have heard of, only bettle killer in the shops. Ps the fish love them too.

Time: 4th March 2008 6:00pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author John10
SB South Australia
#UserID: 549
Posts: 127
View All John10's Edible Fruit Trees

Dekka says...
These are beetle larvae called Curl Grubs. In my region they are mainly the larvae of black Dung Beetles. As the name suggests, high concentrations of pooh are attractive to them at egg-laying time so soil composition might be a factor. Magpies usually keep them under control so I would not suggest the use of poisons as a solution or you'll start killing birds and worsen the problem. I believe Curl Grubs don't like Tea Tree Oil but I don't know what concentration it is applied to the soil.

Time: 4th March 2008 11:37pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Dekka
Newcastle
#UserID: 102
Posts: 219
View All Dekka's Edible Fruit Trees

Correy says...
Wow thanks Anon, Leona, John and Dekka for great tips. I have made some friends with some Piwi's and now that I am aware I will be keeping an eye on these curl grubs.

It really was an infestation in the fig pot. I wonder how they got in there in the first place since it is just potting mix perhaps they crawled up through the holes in the pot.

Maybe I should put gravel under each pot to make it harder for them.

Time: 5th March 2008 8:42am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Correy
Woolloongabba, QLD
#UserID: 3
Posts: 493
View All Correy's Edible Fruit Trees

Scott G says...
Wow Correy, that is a big infestation.

A huge range of beetles have larvae that could be described as 'curl grubs'. Some feed on the decaying matter early in life and later consume the feeder roots. I suspect beetles just flew to the top of your pots and laid eggs.

Perhaps soaking potted plants on a big bucket of water for a day would force them to climb up to the top or drown them. I suppose this would drown all air breathing critters - both good and bad.

I think I'll check my pots now.


Time: 5th March 2008 9:21am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Scott G
The Gold Coast
#UserID: 44
Posts: 117
View All Scott G's Edible Fruit Trees