Pest Eating Roots Over Winter

Question

Large pink-headed maggots are eating the roots of fuschia over winter. I noticed them in the soil at the end of the season in my hanging baskets and pots. Each year I refresh the soil with new compost. What are they, and what can be done to prevent this from happening?

Answer 1

Chewing larvae can be killed using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad.
Always follow package instructions.