Topic: My shallots have been attacked!

[flowerlady]

There are lots of small white grubs chewing holes in the base of my shallots, only four have produced any green so far.

What are they and what should I do about it?  They smell too of rotting onion!

If they are too wet, would a good bake in the sun be a quick fix?  Or should I admit defeat, dig them all up. and chuck 'em away?

[Mrs Ava]

Found this on www.gardenaction.co.uk



Onion Pests and Diseases
Onion Fly
This looks like a normal fly - it lays its eggs in Spring on the neck of the onion, and the developing larvae will tunnel into the onion and destroy it. Hoe around the onions regularly to expose the eggs. The time of greatest risk is when you thin the onions - the flies are attracted by the scent. Growing from onion sets removes the need for thinning and the onions are unlikely to be attacked