Was sorting out some bean and pea seeds for Little Weed when I came across these little blighters who had nibbled through all my Barlotti and were moving on to my heritage beans... there are now a lot of squised weevils... what I want to know is where did I get them from, never had them befor in 12 years of saving seed??????
Thanks Little Weed if I hadn't gone to look they would have done a lot more damage before spring!
:o
Hi Saddad
I'm glad I have bean( LOL )of some help to you,what do they look like please so that I can keep an eye open for them as I am still new at this, are they anything like vine weevil to look at but eat beans?
Regards
little-weed
Exactly like Vine weevil except much smaller, you'd need about twenty to make up a Barlotti bean...
I spoke to HDRA Seed Library yesterday and they are going to mail me details but the freezer seems to be the solution...
;D
Right.. having read the info they sent me... " In conclusion, storing seed in a freezer for approximately three days or afridge for seven days should destroy all stages of the bean seed beetle's life cycle"...
although if you have alot of seed you need to keep them in for longer...
if freezing they need to be very dry... try a bite test... no teeth marks dry enough! Store in tins or jars to prevent reinfestation... Tupperware type containers are fine. Put in an airtight container to freeze, to protect against humidity...
;D
I have just bean (sorry) reading some info on a US heritage seed site where they routinely freeze all their saved beans for three days before storing, so it seems like a good idea..... ;D