Combating the red palm weevil

The red palm weevil is one of the most dangerous insect pests threatening palm trees in Arab regions and around the world, especially date palms and palm trees, as it causes significant damage that can lead to the death of the tree if left untreated. This pest enters the trunk and feeds on the internal tissues of the palm tree, leading to the appearance of tunnels, the excretion of a sticky liquid, yellowing of the fronds, weak growth of the crown, and eventually its death as the infestation progresses.

The effects of the red palm weevil are evident in symptoms such as sawdust, yellowing of the fronds, and even the death of the crown in advanced stages, which reduces production and leads to significant economic losses in palm plantations.

To combat this pest, integrated strategies are applied, including periodic inspection of palm trees for early detection of infection, the use of pheromone traps to attract insects and monitor their numbers, direct injection of pesticides into the palm trunk, placing phosphide tablets in the holes and covering them with clay to prevent gas leakage, as well as treating the soil around the palm tree and using appropriate pesticides. In severe cases of infestation, it is preferable to remove the infected palm tree completely to prevent the spread of the pest to healthy trees.

Etqan relies on these advanced scientific methods to treat red palm weevils through early detection, trap installation, correct application of specialised pesticides, training workers in modern control methods, and providing continuous preventive solutions to maintain palm health and reduce production losses for farmers. The company also integrates its services with awareness and guidance programmes for palm farmers to ensure the application of best practices in integrated pest management.