Garden pest control (also is this a queen wasp?)

[Scuzi]

Background:
I was bitten by a tick back in May. I was infected with Lyme disease and had to go on a course of antibiotics to sort it out. As a result I’m more sensitised to the presence of ticks than your average joe, hence this post.

So first of all, are these ticks?

Secondly, whether they are or they aren’t, my back garden is infested with them. They seem to be in the grass and flower beds. Sitting out back for more than a few minutes usually results in many of these descending upon me. Bottom line is that I want rid of them. Can anyone recommend a child safe pesticide that will nuke them?

Thanks

 

[Tony Edwards]

So first of all, are these ticks?


Secondly, whether they are or they aren’t, my back garden is infested with them. They seem to be in the grass and flower beds. Sitting out back for more than a few minutes usually results in many of these descending upon me. Bottom line is that I want rid of them. Can anyone recommend a child safe pesticide that will nuke them?

Thanks

Not a tick, its a weevil I believe. You could go with nematodes for the most child friendly. Not harmful to humans.

This webpage has a few suggestions.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=234

 

[Blackjack Davy]

Weevil of some kind. Basically vegetarian beetles (and a major pest of crops worldwide)

Living in a rural area? Probably coming in from the fields.

 

[Scuzi]

Thanks. Having looked into it based on the suggestions it definitely looks like weevils. I’m guessing my garden will be decimated in the coming weeks so I’ve ordered nematodes in the hope of suppressing them. Fingers crossed they work.