What the Junta de Andalucía says about pruning, treatments and removing affected palms, explained in plain English.
Pruning cuts attract the red palm weevil. The Junta de Andalucía recommends removing only dry leaves, not shaving the trunk and, on Canary Island date palms and date palms, pruning from November to February and applying a preventive treatment afterwards.
Red palm weevil treatments must be carried out by professionals with an applicator's licence, using authorised products. We hold the qualified-level licence issued by the Junta de Andalucía.
The owner is legally required to remove the palm so the pest doesn't spread to others. Removal follows a protocol: isolate the palm, treat it, transport it covered and destroy the remains. We'll talk you through the steps.
A large moth that arrived in Spain in 2001. Its larvae bore tunnels in the trunk and, when the new leaves open, you see fan-shaped or symmetrical holes. It's often mistaken for red palm weevil. We treat every pest that attacks palms, this one included: send us photos and we'll take a look.
We don't recommend it. The Junta de Andalucía states that treatments must be carried out by professionals with an applicator's licence, using authorised products. On top of that, for a treatment to work you need the right timing, technique and dose for each palm.
For Canary Island date palms and date palms, from November to February, when the weevil is less active. Remove only the dry leaves and apply a preventive treatment afterwards, because the cuts attract the insect.
Yes, although less than the Canary Island date palm. The regulations cover Washingtonia, the European fan palm and other species. If you notice anything unusual, send us photos of the crown and trunk.
A palm with an active infestation can die and become a source of infestation for the palms around it. A weakened crown can also fall. If the palm can no longer be saved, the owner is legally required to remove it following the official protocol.
Sources: Junta de Andalucía, red palm weevil FAQ (in Spanish), recommendations (in Spanish) and BOJA no. 67, 2010 (in Spanish); Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Paysandisia archon fact sheet (in Spanish). Red palm weevil photos: Wikimedia Commons (Katja Schulz, CC BY 2.0; Küchenkraut, CC BY-SA 3.0).
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