Red palm weevil in Dubai
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
Not covered · private firm- Size
- Adults about 2–4 cm
- Moves
- Both
- Bites or stings
- No
- Season
- All year
- Where you'll see them
- Garden
Short answer
- A beetle whose larvae bore into date palms and can kill them. Villa owners with palms in the garden may see treatment by licensed contractors.
- A plant pest, not a household pest. Licensed treatment of palms is one of the few legitimate uses of fumigants, under Municipality supervision (The National, 2016).
Signs of red palm weevil
- Oozing brown liquid from holes in the trunk
- Chewed fibres at the base of fronds
- Wilting or collapsing crown
Does Dubai Municipality treat red palm weevil for free?
A plant pest, not a household pest. Licensed treatment of palms is one of the few legitimate uses of fumigants, under Municipality supervision (The National, 2016). Read how the free service works.
Flats and villas
| Home | What's different |
|---|---|
| Flat | Residents of flats rarely deal with red palm weevil directly; palms in shared grounds are the building or community's responsibility. |
| Villa | Villa owners with palms in the garden may need licensed contractors to inspect and treat infested trees. |
How to keep them out
- Check palm trunks and frond bases regularly for holes and oozing
- Avoid wounding trunks when pruning or fixing lights
- Buy palms only from reputable nurseries
- Remove and dispose of dead fronds properly
Guides that cover red palm weevil
Questions people ask
Is red palm weevil a household pest?
No. It is a plant pest whose larvae bore into date palms, and it does not infest homes.
Can I fumigate a palm myself?
No. Fumigants such as aluminium phosphide are for licensed firms under Dubai Municipality supervision only, and are never to be used in or near homes.
What are the signs of red palm weevil?
Look for brown liquid oozing from holes in the trunk, chewed fibres at the base of fronds, and a wilting or collapsing crown.
General information only. If you hire a company, check it is on Dubai Municipality's approved list, and ask for written safety instructions before treatment.