Root Weevils

Root weevils are tiny, fat, rounded insects you might mistake for beetles because of their dark, hard shells. But if you look closely, their bent antennae give them away, making their heads look like little tridents or pitchforks.

In the spring, root weevils lay their eggs right on the soil surface or in leaf litter. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow down to the plant roots and start feeding. They munch away all summer and spend the winter underground until they emerge as adults in the spring, joined by last year's adults.

Despite their name, root weevils don't just feed on roots. The larvae (or grubs) feed on roots, but the adults prefer leaves. They're not picky eaters either. Even though some have names like "strawberry root weevil," they'll happily feed on other plants like rhododendron, spruce, mint, and even grass.

There are a few reasons why root weevils might enter your home. As winter approaches, they might move inside to hibernate. Even if you don't see them in the fall, you might spot them in late spring or early summer as they try to find their way back outside. They don't always remember the way out! 

Fertilizer or pesticide applications to the lawn can also drive them indoors, as can extended dry periods.

Root weevils can't fly, so when they do enter a home, it's usually from near the foundation—right where we often put our flower beds. While they can devastate commercial crops and nurseries, they rarely do significant damage to gardens.

To keep them out of your home, try to keep plant beds away from the foundation. A dry zone of stone or pea gravel can make it harder for adults to find a good spot to lay eggs. Removing leaf litter from under shrubs also helps. Since adults spend the day underground, keeping shrubs trimmed up from the ground will make it harder for them to access the leaves to feed.

Pesticide applications aren't generally needed or recommended.   A vacuum is usually all you need.