Cherry laurel is one of the robust garden trees that thrive when chosen correctly and given appropriate care. Unfortunately, the bushes are occasionally attacked by pests that are not obvious at first glance. In addition to unsightly holes in the leaves, the foliage shows eaten edges and, in some cases, yellowing.
What to do if the cherry laurel is eaten?
If the cherry laurel is eaten, black weevils are often responsible. They leave circular holes in the leaves and semi-rice-shaped feeding spots on the edges. Check the bushes in the evening, fight the beetles and their larvae and encourage natural enemies in the garden.
A beetle causes the pitting
Responsible for this feeding damage is the black weevil, which likes to settle on the laurel cherry and garden trees with coarse leaves. The nocturnal beetle is one of the most stubborn garden pests that you can only get rid of with a little know-how and patience.
You can recognize the infestation by the circular holes in the leaves. In contrast to shotgun disease, the foliage does not have any brown spots. There are also semi-rice-shaped feeding spots along the edges of the leaves.
The larvae are really dangerous for the plant
If the damage caused by feeding on the leaves only disturbs the appearance of the plants, the voracious larvae of the beetle can become a serious threat to the cherry laurel. The white beetle larvae, which are approximately twelve millimeters long, live in the root area. They initially feed on the delicate fine roots of the plant. The older larvae eat their way to the base of the trunk and gnaw away the bark of the main roots. As a result, the cherry laurel can no longer absorb enough water and is weakened. As a result, there is a risk of infections with soil fungi and the death of the bush.
Fighting the black weevil
Because the black beetle, about one centimeter in size, lives in hiding, it is difficult to control with insecticides. Check cherry laurels with pitting in the late evening hours with a flashlight. If you discover black weevils, as a first aid, place a flower pot filled with wood shavings under the bush. The pests hide in these containers during the day, so you can collect the beetles every day. Additionally, bury neem press cakes (€28.00 on Amazon) around the laurel cherry, which will deter the hunger of the beetles and larvae.
The most effective way to combat the larvae is with small threadworms, the nematodes. The microscopic worms penetrate the beetle larvae and release a bacterium that kills the larva.
Tips & Tricks
The black weevil has many natural enemies such as shrews, hedgehogs, lizards, toads and birds. Ensure a good ecological balance in the garden and offer the beneficial insects sufficient shelter and nesting opportunities. This is the simplest and most effective method to keep the voracious beetle at bay in the long term.
