A new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme developed by ICL to control the most destructive of pests – vine weevil – delivers future-proofed, season-round control.
“As times are changing, the industry can no longer rely on chemical controls to keep vine weevil at bay,” says ICL’s IPM expert Martin Donnelly. “With the loss of Exemptor, growers need to plan ahead using alternative methods of control.”
Supporting sustainable growth, ICL’s UK technical team has been working hard to combine several new technologies to produce an effective IPM programme offering a coordinated approach to combat this pest.
“Our award-winning biorational Pitcher, targets vine weevil eggs and early instar larvae,” explains Martin. “Larger larvae can be well controlled using our Seeka beneficial nematodes products. When temperatures are above 5°C there is Vine Weevil Seeka CT; this cold tolerant product contains Steinernema kraussei nematodes. As temperatures exceed 12°C, we recommend growers switch to the more economical Vine Weevil Seeka - containing Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes.
“Designed to enhance nematode application efficacy, we encourage growers to use our revolutionary penetrant Transporter. By aiding nematode dispersion, it helps optimise control levels. Another of our innovations, SpOtless, is a highly formulated and compatible cleaning agent ensuring any potentially harmful residues are removed from spray tanks prior to nematode application. Nematodes are living organisms so this is good practice.
“While some growers are already well versed at using non-chemical approaches to controlling vine weevil, for many this is a new area. Our highly knowledgeable ICL technical team is here to help and support growers through this period of transition, offering advice and planning tools to help implement and succeed with these alternative technologies.”
For more information, www.icl-protect.com/vineweevil
For more information:
ICL Group
Epsilon House, West Road, Ipswich.
IP3 9FJ
T: +44 (0)1473 237100
F: +44 (0)1473 237150
E: prof.sales@icl-group.com
www.icl-group.com
www.icl-sf.co.uk
www.icl-sf.ie