8 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Pepper Weevils

You may have pepper weevil damage if you notice tiny holes in your pepper fruits and see the stems or calyx turning yellow.

Pepper weevils are a serious problem for many home and commercial gardeners. However, you can control them using natural remedies.

Identification

The pepper weevil is a small beetle that threatens many pepper farmers.

Adult pepper weevils are about 1/8 inch long [1]. They are dark brown to black and have an oval-shaped body.

The larvae are soft grayish-white grubs. They cause damage by feeding inside the developing pepper fruit.

Pepper weevils target all types of peppers, including bell peppers, jalapeños, banana peppers, and habaneros. They may also feed on tomatoes and tomatillos [2].

How to Get Rid of Pepper Weevils Naturally

Below are some of the best natural and organic remedies to help keep pepper weevils under control.

1. Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is one of the best long-term ways to manage pepper weevils organically.

These pests may spend the winter in leftover pepper debris. Then, they can return and infect new plants the following year.

So, rotate your crops. Don’t plant peppers or other nightshades in the same spot every season. Doing so makes it harder for the beetles to find a suitable host in your garden.

2. Parasitic Wasps

Nature also offers some incredible solutions to pest problems. One of the most fascinating is the use of beneficial insects, like parasitic wasps.

Some species of parasitic wasps prey on pepper weevils. Catolaccus hunteri kills the pepper weevil larvae by laying eggs inside them [3].

When the wasp larvae hatch, they consume the weevil from the inside out.

You can find parasitic wasps for sale online or in garden supply stores that cater to organic gardening. You can also attract these insects by planting various flowers the adult wasps can feed on.

3. Clean Up Pepper Debris and Fallen Peppers

Good garden hygiene is another way to keep pepper weevils under control. If you leave pepper debris lying around, you give these pests the perfect place to linger.

In addition, clean up the area thoroughly at the end of the growing season or any time you see dropped fruit.

Dispose of infested plant material away from your garden. Don’t compost it.

4. Control Weeds

Some weeds can also serve as alternative hosts or hiding spots for pepper weevils. Certain weeds in the nightshade family, such as black nightshade, can support pepper weevil populations.

Even non-host weeds can provide shelter and shade, making pests’ survival easier.

So, regularly weed around your pepper beds and the surrounding areas. Doing so can significantly reduce the risk of re-infestation.

5. Yellow Sticky Traps

Yellow sticky traps are another handy tool for monitoring and controlling adult pepper weevils. These bright traps attract flying insects and trap them on a sticky surface.

Sticky traps will not stop an infestation but help catch beetles early. They also reduce the number of adult beetles flying in your garden.

Place the traps near your pepper plants at the beginning of the season and check them regularly. You may need to step up your other control methods if you notice trapped pepper weevils.

6. Diatomaceous Earth

This product kills rice weevils and many other pests that come into contact with it.

It has also shown promising results against pepper weevils in lab trials [4]. Therefore, we recommend that you try it.

To use diatomaceous earth, dust it on your plants. Be sure to dust it on both sides of the pepper leaves and young fruits. However, ensure that you purchase food-grade diatomaceous earth.

You can also make a homemade pepper weevil spray with DE.

Mix one tablespoon of diatomaceous earth with one liter of water. Next, shake well and use it to spray your plants.

Keep shaking it up as you go along, as DE may settle at the bottom of the spray bottle. You may also have to reapply after it rains or if you use sprinkler irrigation.

7. Debug® Optimo

For a natural spray option, Debug® Optimo is a neem oil-based insecticide that is approved for organic gardening.

When applied correctly, Debug® Optimo helps control adult weevils. It works as a repellent and an anti-feedant.

It is also best used as a preventative rather than to help control an infestation.

8. Monterey Bug Buster-O

Another natural product to consider is the Monterey Bug Buster-O. It is an organic insecticide containing pyrethrins.

Pyrethrins quickly kill pests on contact, such as pepper weevils, mushroom flies, and vinegar flies. Therefore, this product is useful during active infestations.

However, it is important not to overuse it, as it can harm beneficial insects like bees.

Takeaway

Getting rid of pepper weevils can be challenging but not impossible. You also don’t need a professional to help keep these pests under control.

Try the home remedies above to employ a natural, multi-layered approach.

Consistency is also key. Monitor your plants closely and act quickly at the early signs of damage.