Citrus Root Weevil Control: How to Get Rid of Citrus Root Weevils

This page is a general citrus root weevil control guide. Using the products and methods suggested will help you to completely control citrus root weevil infestations. Follow this DIY guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of citrus root weevil populations.

Pest management is essential for most homeowners, especially those facing an infestation of diaprepes more commonly known as the citrus root weevil. This common, yet destructive pests is prevalent across the southern states, primarily Florida. Its widespread distribution to 270 different plants such as crops, citrus tree species, and ornamental foliage can be contributed to homeowners purchasing or moving infested potted plants.

As an agricultural and ornamental pest, there is no estimate to how much damage citrus root weevils can produce. One factor that is certain is that the larvae and adult stage of the citrus root weevils feeds on the leaves, roots, and occasional fruit of plant foliage leading to injury, death, and possible disease growth. Due to the size of ornamental trees and plants it may support larvae activity before pest damage such as discoloration can be seen.

Despites its attractive appearance, this root weevil is a serious pests that must be managed before breeding can occur. Follow our DIY treatment guide below to learn more about citrus root weevils and the best way to eliminate their presence within your property through our recommended steps and products.

Identification

Before you can carry out a control program, make sure the pest infesting your plants is a citrus root weevil. Misidentification can lead you to using the wrong treatment approach, which in turn will cost you time and money. Refer to the following characteristics for proper diaprepes (citrus root weevil) identification.

• In its adult stage, the citrus root weevil ranges in size from 1/2 to 3/4" inches long or about the size of a quarter. 
• Coloration of black vine weevils are shades of light grey, blue, green, red, and yellow. They have a black head, black legs, antennae, and black stripes that run lengthwise along the elytra.
• Larvae are white or yellowish in color, legless, have chewing mouth parts, C-shaped body, and measure 1 inch in length. These pests have light and dark brown colored head capsules.
• Possess hardened forewings (elytra) that cover the citrus root weevil abdomen when resting. These wings are unable to carry them far distances so they are more prone to crawling onto plants then flying.
• Eggs are capsule-oval in shape and are smooth, pale yellow to white colored, and shiny in appearance. They are formed into irregular shaped clusters between 30 to 265 in a single layer.

Use the description and image above to identify citrus root weevils on your property. If unsure, then send us a photo of your pest through email or visit one of our stores in person with a photo or sample of the pest in a enclosed container.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed citrus root weevils on your property, then you can proceed with inspection. During this phase, you will determine the areas where citrus root weevils are present, the plant type they are infesting, and the conditions allowing the pest to thrive.

Where to Inspect

Citrus Root Weevils thrive in the structural roots, leaves, and fruit of over 270 species of plants from 59 different families. Commonly these pests invade citrus plants, but they can infest young and tender vegetables, fruits like strawberries, crops such as sweet potatoes and papayas, panicum grasses, and other woody ornamental plant species.

What to Look For

Adult Diaprepes, or Citrus, root weevils emerge from the soil throughout the year, but there will be mass emergence events in the spring and fall. The majority of breeding occurs during dawn or dusk when moisture is higher and heat is low. If you come across this pest they may play dead until they feel safe.

After breeding, the female citrus root weevil deposits her eggs in large clusters between two leaves or inside the folded edge of leaf. She will then secrets a gelatinous substance that glues the leaves together to encase her eggs for protection against other predators. After 7 to 10 days, the eggs will hatch with the larvae dropping from the leaf's surface to the soil beneath it.

The larvae travels throughout the soils surface to feed on small and young roots of the plant then to the large more established roots as they develop. Their feeding activity creates yellowing and other forms of discoloration on the plant leaves, wilting, and death of foliage. Adult feeding activity causes this as well with the exception that damages are mainly seen as small notches along the edge of the leaf.

Treatment

Before applying any pesticides, make sure to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of gloves, masks, safety googles, land-sleeve shirt, long-sleeve pants, coveralls or Tyvek suit, and closed-toe shoes with socks.

To completely control citrus root weevil, you will need to apply a broad-spectrum and long-lasting liquid insecticide that is approved to treat the foliage within your property. We recommend using Supreme IT for treating over 70 types of pests, such as diaprepes (citrus root weevil) on non-bearing fruit and nut trees, shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, foliage plants, and lawns. Once applied this product will remain on treated areas for up to 90 days.

Step 1: Prune Damaged Foliage Leaves and Stems

At any point of the season remove dead, decaying, or damaged plant materials such as stems, flower buds, fruits, leaves, and branches. Especially leaves that are joined together by a gelatinous substance since this may be indication of citrus root weevil eggs.

Remove parts of the plants that have egg or breeding activity to prevent citrus root weevil growth. Any removed plant material should be collected into a trash bag and properly disposed off. By following this step you help to lessen the possibility of population growth and larvae creeping into the soil beneath your plants.

Step 2: Mow Your Lawn

Even though citrus root weevils have wings, they cannot fly very fly and rely on grass to provide cover as they crawl to their host plants. 

For this reason, you will need to mow your lawn when it reaches a height of 3 inches to eliminate citrus root weevil movements. This will also help to eliminate infested plant materials on turf ridden with larvae and for deeper penetration of pesticide material to prevent breeding activity.

Step 3: Apply Supreme IT to Non-Bearing Fruit and Nut trees

At the beginning of May, July, September, and November spray Supreme IT across your non-bearing fruit and nut trees, shrubs, ornamental foliage, flowers, foliage plants, and residential or commercial lawns. 

Determine how much Supreme IT to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. To find this, measure the length and width of the treatment site in feet and multiply (length X width = square footage). To get rid of adult diaprepes (citrus root weevils) in ornamental plants, use 0.25 to 0.5 oz. of Supreme IT per gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft.

To reach higher elevations, we recommend using a hose-end sprayer. To use the hose-end sprayer, ensure the sprayer control valve and water pump is turned off. Attach the hose-end sprayer to the end of your garden hose until secure. Remove the reservoir from the nozzle to pour in the appropriate amount of Supreme IT. Fill the reservoir with enough water to treat the entire treatment area. Reattach the nozzle to the hose-end sprayer then turn the water hose on. Push forward on the hose-end sprayer control valve to release the product material.

Treat the entire foliar coverage of trees, shrubbery, lawns and ornamentals until the top and bottom of leaves are wet, but not to the point of run-off. Repeat treatments may be made once 90 days have passed from first application.

Remember this product only eliminates the adult stage of citrus root weevils, but ceases breeding of larvae for up to 90 days.

Do not apply this product to fruit trees, crops, or other plants grown for consumption.  

Prevention

Once citrus root weevils have been eliminated from your property, you will need to ensure this invasive pest does not return. These following preventative measures will help to lessen the presence and activity of citrus root weevils within your property.

• Citrus root weevils will not emerge from turf that is dry and hard. Eliminate excessive moisture in your property by adjusting watering to once a week in the early morning with no more than an inch or irrigation.
• Prune dead, decaying, discolored, or damaged plant leaves, stems, fruits, nuts, flower buds, and branches. You will need to remove overgrown plant leaves and branches to reduce shade and moisture needed for pest growth in soil. Removing these plant materials eliminates citrus root weevil habitats and larvae activity. This activity also helps to increase plant growth.
• Mow when your turf when it reaches a height of 3 inches to eliminate citrus root weevil activity and increase Supreme IT application.
• Rake fallen leaves, branches, fruit, and nuts to remove habitat, shade and potential moisture for larvae.
• Reapply Supreme IT on a quarterly basis throughout May to October, and November.

Key Takeaways

What are Citrus Root Weevils?

• Diaprepes, also known as citrus root weevils are snout-like pests that feed on the roots, leaves, fruits, and nuts of ornamental foliage, crops, and sometimes lawns.

How to Get Rid of Citrus Root Weevils

• Reduce the population and potential future pest by applying Supreme IT at the beginning of each season and through regular lawn care maintenance.

Preventing Citrus Root Weevils

• Prevent citrus root weevils through continual quarterly applications of Supreme IT, mowing, pruning, raking, and adjusting watering practices.