Here’s a look at organic and non-chemical methods to stop what is eating your strawberries.
Slugs also leave tell-tale silvery slime trails on the foliage.
Slugs generally cause damage at night and are more problematic during damp weather.
The Spruce / K. Dave
“They are about 1/10 inch long and reddish-brown with black patches on their backs.
Like most weevils, they have a pronounced curved snout.
Strawberry bud weevils are a problem in early spring when the adults emerge from overwintering.
The Spruce / K. Dave
They use snouts to puncture the strawberry flower buds and feed on the pollen.
Then the females lay a single egg in each bud, preventing it from opening.
This protects their larvae but also destroys berry production.
The Spruce / K. Dave
These blossoms will usually fall off or hang limply from the plants.
The eggs hatch after a week and the adults emerge from the infested blossoms after three to four weeks.
Start checking for weevils as soon as strawberry plants form buds.
Each forewing has a black tip with a yellow triangle.
These are very small insects, only about 1/4 inch in size.
The adult females emerge in spring as strawberry flower buds appear when they lay eggs.
The nymphs hatch and feed on the blossoms and the developing strawberry seeds, resulting in misshapen fruit.
Spittlebugs are the nymph stage of insects in theCercopoideafamily, which will turn into adults commonly known as froghoppers.
The nymphs are tan, brown, or black and are only about 1/4 inch in size.
Spittlebugs often will not kill a plant, but severe infestations may stunt berries or weaken the entire plant.
The bugs puncture the stems and feed on the plant’s juices, causing damage near ground level.
The damage to strawberries is because of adult insects.
Although the holes are sometimes very small, the injury often introduces rot into the fruit.
Sprinkling diatomaceous earth just around the plant bases is another idea.
Lastly, try surrounding them with companion plants such as onions or garlic.
These deter pests with their pungent aroma.
Nocturnal animals, such as raccoons, will eat strawberry plants.
Raccoons are omnivorous and love fruits and vegetables.
Smaller rodents such as mice may also eat strawberry plants at night.
Slugs in Strawberries.North Carolina State Extension.
Tarnished Plant Bug.University of Florida Extension.
Sap Beetles in Home Gardens.University of Minnesota Extension.
