Damon Mcknight
Growing strawberries is a delightful way to discover the wide range of varieties available to grow at home. However, pests can be a problem, reducing your harvest and causing damage to your plants. Common strawberry pests include slugs, aphids, earwigs, and sow bugs, but larger animals such as squirrels, rats, mice, and even possums can also be the culprits. To protect your strawberry plants, you can try methods such as using eco bug spray, slug bait, or placing a net or plastic cover over your plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common pests | Slugs, strawberry root weevils, Aphids, Earwigs, Sow bugs, Tarnished plant bugs, Spittlebugs, Beetles, Squirrels, Rats, Mice, Voles, Possums |
| Pest indicators | Droppings, Notched leaf perimeters, Distorted growth and yellowing leaves, Holes in fruit |
| Pest prevention methods | Use of eco bug spray, Slug bait, Mouse traps, Repotting in larger pots, Covering plants with nets or plastic sheets, Keeping cats |
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What You'll Learn
Rats, mice, or voles
Rats, mice, and voles are known to eat strawberries and can be a common pest for strawberry plants. These creatures are attracted not only to the fruit but also to the roots, bark, and leaves of the plant. Rats and mice are known to gnaw on the roots, bark, and leaves of strawberry plants, while voles tend to devour the fruit, although they may also consume the roots.
One way to identify whether you have a rodent problem is to look for droppings near your strawberry plants. Different animals have different types of droppings, so this can be a good indicator of what type of creature is eating your strawberries. Another indication is the size of the bites taken out of the fruit. If the holes are mostly pea-sized or smaller, the culprit is likely to be slugs. However, if there are larger portions of the fruit missing and chew marks are visible, this could indicate mice or voles.
If you suspect that rats, mice, or voles are eating your strawberries, there are several steps you can take to deter them. Firstly, it is important to remove any potential nesting places by keeping your garden clean and tidy. Eliminate any harbourage points, such as piles of wood or clippings, and cut back overgrown areas. You can also try using physical barriers, such as netting or wire mesh, to cover your strawberry plants completely. While this method is effective, it can be labour-intensive to install. Another option is to use frightening manoeuvres, such as noisemakers, fake owls or hawks, or fake snakes, to scare away rodents and birds. However, these methods may become less effective over time as the pests become accustomed to them.
Chemical repellents containing Thiram (a sulfur fungicide) can also be used to keep rodents away from your strawberry plants. Additionally, you can try using rodenticides, which are baits designed to appeal to rats and mice with the necessary odours, textures, and tastes. These baits contain a fatal dose of poison that the rodents will ingest as they chew. However, it is important to note that some people may not be comfortable with trapping or poisoning rodents, and there are potential risks associated with the diseases they can carry.
It is worth noting that while strawberries can be a tasty treat for pet mice, they should be consumed in moderation due to their sugar content. It is recommended to prepare the strawberry by rinsing it, removing the stalk, and cutting it into smaller pieces before feeding it to your pet mouse.
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Slugs
To prevent slug damage to your strawberry plants, you can take several measures. First, remove potential slug shelters from the area, such as plant debris, weeds, fallen wood, and rocks. Slugs are attracted to moist and cool environments, so keeping the area clean and dry can help reduce their population. Additionally, certain predators, such as ground beetles, rove beetles, and fireflies, can help control slug numbers.
Various compounds and baits are also available to deter slugs. Diatomaceous earth (DE), a fine powder made from sharp particles of marine organisms, can be used to create a barrier around your strawberry plants. DE irritates the skin of slugs, and they will not cross it. However, it is important to use food-grade DE and ensure that it stays dry, replacing it after rain. Slug baits, such as iron phosphate, ferric sodium EDTA, and metaldehyde, can be effective during seasons when slugs are most active, usually spring and fall. However, caution should be exercised as some slug baits are toxic to wildlife, pets, and children.
Other methods that have been suggested to deter slugs include using pine needles, citrus rind traps, sawdust, cut hair, plastic barriers, coffee, and beer traps. However, these methods may not be as effective in controlling slug populations.
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Root weevils
Adult weevils are reddish-brown to dark brown or black in colour, and are about 8-12 mm in length. They are active at night, feeding on strawberry leaves and causing characteristic notching on the leaves of the host plant. This feeding behaviour is relatively minor and does not cause significant damage to the plants.
The real threat to strawberry plants comes from the weevil larvae, which feed on the root systems of the plants during winter and spring. The larvae are small white grubs with tan heads, up to 12 mm in length, and are responsible for the severe damage that can ruin a harvest.
To control root weevils, it is important to understand their behaviour and life cycle. Scouting for adult weevils can be done by inspecting foliage on warm, still evenings, or by checking plant debris at the base of the plant during the day. Controls should be implemented about four weeks after adult feeding is observed, but before egg-laying occurs.
Various methods can be used to manage root weevils, including chemical insecticides and natural predators. Insecticides such as pyrethroids, malathion, and thiamethoxam (Actara or Platinum) are effective against adult weevils, but they must be applied at night and when bees are not foraging in the area to avoid harming them. Nematodes, such as Heterorhabditis spp. and Steinernema spp., can also be used as a natural control method when applied as directed in the root zone where weevil larvae are present. Additionally, cultivating the soil before planting can help eliminate overwintering larvae.
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Aphids
To control and prevent aphid infestations, early and regular monitoring is essential. Inspect leaflets and shoots carefully for any signs of aphids or their eggs. Yellow sticky cards can be used to trap winged aphids, but if winged forms are found, it indicates that there is already a well-established aphid population in the crop. The presence of ants feeding on the honeydew produced by aphids is also a sign of heavy infestation.
Chemical control measures, such as insecticidal soaps or pesticides, can be considered as a last resort if viruses transmitted by aphids are detected. However, these measures should be carefully selected to avoid affecting beneficial insects.
Some natural methods to prevent and control aphid infestations include:
- Planting alliums, such as onions and garlic, nearby as aphids dislike their smell.
- Planting pollen- and nectar-rich flowers to attract ladybugs and lacewings, which are natural predators of aphids.
- Using natural treatments such as Neem oil, a good natural all-purpose insect and antifungal treatment. However, it is important to note that vinegar mixtures, while effective against aphids, need to be applied carefully as incorrect dilution can harm the plant.
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Birds
One way to identify if birds are the culprits behind the missing strawberries is to look for evidence of their presence, such as feathers, nests, or droppings nearby. You may also notice that the strawberries have been pecked at or entirely taken away. Birds typically eat the fruit, but they can also damage the foliage and leaves.
To prevent birds from feasting on your strawberries, consider implementing some physical barriers. Bird netting is a popular and effective method, which involves draping a net over the strawberry plants or the entire bed. Ensure that the netting is securely anchored to the ground to prevent birds from sneaking underneath. Floating row covers can also be used, but they may not be as effective against smaller birds.
Another strategy is to create a physical barrier by using a plastic cover or sheet under and around the strawberry plants. This will prevent the strawberries from touching the soil, reducing the risk of soil insects and other pests, which may also attract birds. You can also try placing bird scarers or reflective surfaces near the plants to startle or confuse the birds and deter them from approaching.
Additionally, you can try to provide alternative food sources for the birds at a safe distance from your strawberry patch. This may include scattering birdseed or other bird-friendly food in a different area of your garden or yard. By doing so, you may be able to redirect their attention away from your precious strawberries.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many pests that could be eating your strawberries. The most common ones include slugs, strawberry root weevils, aphids, earwigs, and sow bugs. Other possibilities include rats, mice, or voles.
Holes in the berries, half-eaten berries dropped away from the strawberry patch, and notched edges on leaves are signs of pests. You can also look for droppings near your strawberry plants to help identify the culprit.
You can try using eco bug spray, slug bait, or mouse traps to deter pests. You can also try to cover your strawberry plants with a net or plastic sheet to protect them from birds and insects.
Yes, you can try growing your strawberries indoors, as this will reduce the range of pests that could affect your plants. You can also try to observe your plants regularly to detect any problems early on.
