To fight strawberry bugs and pests, use soapy water sprayed directly on the bugs every few days to kill them without harming the strawberries or other insects, as new aphids will replace them. Additionally, apply super-light floating row covers or food-grade diatomaceous earth to ward off slugs and other bugs.
Consider creating a pest-resistant garden and stake strawberries to protect them from insects. Other pests that can infest strawberries include sap beetles, weevils, vine weevils, aphids, thrips, and geometer moths. We’ll show you how to identify and fight common pests that infest strawberries, how to protect strawberries from birds and other intruders, and at last, offer some advice on how to care for your strawberries to grow happy and healthy plants.
Credit: www.thespruce.com
Common Bugs And Pests On Strawberries
Strawberries can be susceptible to a variety of bugs and pests, such as slugs, roly polies, plant bugs, and lygus bugs. To fight them, you can stake your strawberries to protect them from insects, use PVC pipe to create a cage around your plants, or use organic controls like soapy water or diatomaceous earth to keep pests away.
Common Bugs and Pests on Strawberries |
Lygus Bug |
The Lygus bug is known to feed on strawberries causing deformities in the fruit. To control the spread of these bugs, practice regular weeding and remove any debris or fallen fruit from the ground. Use a vacuum to get rid of the bugs, or insecticidal soaps and oils can also be used. |
Rolly Pollies |
Rolly Pollies (pill bugs) are not known to cause direct damage to the strawberries but can damage the roots and fruits indirectly. Keep your garden clean and remove any debris or organic matter on which they thrive. |
Birds |
To protect strawberries from birds, use garden netting or bird netting. Keep the netting tight and secure, so birds cannot enter. Alternatively, you can use reflective tape or scare tactics to keep the birds away. |
Sap Beetles |
Sap beetles can cause severe damage to strawberries through larval feeding and bacterial disease transmission. To control sap beetles, remove any damaged or infected fruit and practice good sanitation in your garden. Place yellow sticky traps around your garden to catch and trap sap beetles. |
Weevils |
Weevils feed on the foliage and flowers of strawberries, causing significant damage. To control the spread of weevils, use garden insecticides containing neem oil, spinosad, or pyrethrins. Alternatively, you can control the spread of weevils by using row covers to prevent their entry. |
Aphids |
Aphids are known to damage the foliage and flowers of strawberry plants. To control the spread of aphids, use ladybugs, lacewings, or hoverflies, which are natural predators of aphids. Alternatively, use insecticidal soaps and oils to control the spread. |
Thrips |
Thrips feed on the leaves and fruit of strawberries, causing severe damage. To control the spread of thrips, spray the plants with insecticidal soap or use garden insecticides containing pyrethrins. Use reflective mulches around the plants to repel thrips. |
Geometer Moths |
Geometer moths are known to damage the foliage and fruit of strawberry plants. To control the spread of geometer moths, use row covers to prevent their entry, and keep the garden clean and free of debris. Use a garden insecticide to control severe infestations. |
Natural And Diy Solutions
Fight strawberry bugs and pests naturally with DIY solutions. Keep birds, slugs, pill bugs, and other pests at bay with methods such as staking, PVC pipe cages, and using soapy water directly on the bugs. Protect your strawberries and harvest delicious, pesticide-free fruit.
Super-Light Floating Row Covers can be used to protect strawberries from pests without the use of harsh chemicals. They prevent flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects from getting to the fruit. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, non-toxic option that can be sprinkled around the plants. Beer Traps are another option for controlling slugs. Simply bury a shallow dish filled with beer to attract the slugs and they will crawl in and drown. Soapy Water Spray can be used to kill sow bugs. Trapping and Killing Sow Bugs with baited traps is also an option. By implementing these natural solutions, you can successfully protect your strawberries from pests without harming other insects and wildlife.Chemical Pesticides
Chemical pesticides can be an effective solution for fighting strawberry bugs and pests. BioAdvanced Vegetable and Garden Insect Spray, Garden Safe Multi-Purpose Insect Killer, BioAdvanced Fruit Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control, Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate, and Monterey Garden Insect Spray are some of the best insecticides for strawberries. However, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and apply them only when necessary. In addition, you can use physical barriers to protect your strawberries such as PVC pipe cages or wire mesh covers. Another natural solution is to use soapy water to spray directly on the bugs. This will kill the bugs without harming the strawberries and has no residual effect on other insects. Regularly washing and cleaning your strawberries before eating can also prevent the ingestion of bugs and pests.
Credit: extension.umn.edu
Diseases Affecting Strawberries
Strawberries are susceptible to various diseases that can affect their growth and productivity. Gray mold, Leaf Spot, Leaf Scorch, Leaf Blight, Red Stele Root Rot, and Anthracnose, are some diseases that can damage strawberries. Gray mold is a common infection that affects strawberries during rainy periods, and it can affect both the fruit and plant. Leaf Spot, on the other hand, can cause leaf discoloration and defoliation. Leaf Scorch causes the leaves to turn brownish and dry out, which can ultimately kill the plant. Leaf Blight causes dark brown spots on the leaves that merge, leading to leaf death. Red Stele Root Rot can cause the plant to wilt and die. Lastly, Anthracnose is a fungal disease that can cause black spots on the berries’ skin. Proper prevention and treatment of these diseases are essential to keep your strawberry plants healthy and fruitful.
Pests Affecting Strawberries
Strawberry plants are susceptible to various pests and bugs that can damage or even destroy your crops. Some common pests affecting strawberries include:
- Strawberry Root Weevils: These weevils can cause significant damage to a plant’s roots. They can be identified by small, irregular-shaped notches around the leaves.
- Two-Spotted Spider Mites and Cyclamen Mites: Both of these mites can damage plants by feeding on their leaves. They can be identified by the presence of webbing on the plant and yellow or white stippling on the leaves.
- Strawberry Bud Weevils/Strawberry Clippers: These weevils attack the flower buds, which can result in fewer or no fruits. Look for brown, wilted flower buds.
- Tarnished Plant Bugs: These bugs can damage both the foliage and fruit. They can be identified by their yellow-brown color and distinctive triangle shape.
- Sap Beetles: These beetles feed on the ripe fruit, leaving it vulnerable to decay. They can be identified by their shiny, black bodies and four yellow spots on their wings.
- Slugs: Slugs can damage both the foliage and fruit. Look for holes in the leaves and missing or partially eaten fruit.
- Deer, Birds, and Rabbits: These animals can also cause damage to strawberry plants and fruits. Use fencing or netting to protect your plants from them.
Credit: strawberryplants.org
Frequently Asked Questions For Strawberry Bugs And Pests How To Fight Them
How Do You Get Rid Of Strawberry Pests?
To rid your strawberries of pests, spray them with soapy water every few days to kill the bugs without harming the fruit or other insects. Floating row covers or food-grade diatomaceous earth can also help keep pests away. Use the best pesticide for strawberries for insects, such as BioAdvanced Vegetable and Garden or Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate as a last resort.
What Can I Put Around My Strawberries To Keep Bugs Away?
To keep bugs away from your strawberries, you can use super-light floating row covers or garden fabric. Applying food-grade diatomaceous earth on the ground and on plants can also ward off slugs. Additionally, spraying soapy water directly on bugs will kill them without harm to the strawberries.
Repeat every few days as new aphids will replace them.
What Is The Best Pesticide For Strawberries?
Best pesticide for strawberries varies depending on the pest causing damage. However, BioAdvanced Vegetable and Garden, Garden Safe Multi-Purpose, BioAdvanced Fruit Citrus & Vegetable, Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate, and Monterey Garden Insect Spray are some commonly used insecticides for strawberries.
How Do You Get Rid Of Sow Bugs On Strawberries?
To get rid of sow bugs on strawberries, spray them with soapy water directly. Doing so will kill them without harming the strawberries and without any residual effect on other insects. Since new aphids will replace them, you need to spray them every few days.
Consider using super-light floating row covers or food-grade diatomaceous earth to keep other bugs away from the strawberries.
Conclusion
To sum up, dealing with strawberry bugs and pests can be a daunting task, but with the right techniques and tools, it’s possible to achieve a pest-free strawberry garden. From using PVC pipes to protect your strawberry plants from insects, using natural remedies such as soap water and beer traps, to applying the right insecticides to eliminate stubborn pests, you can keep your strawberry harvest safe and healthy.
Remember that prevention is the key, so always keep your garden clean and tidy to avoid attracting bugs and pests. Happy gardening!
I am a graduate of Bangladesh Agricultural University, where I delved into various agricultural disciplines, equipping me with a profound understanding of agriculture. Beyond academics, I have hands-on experience in gardening and crop cultivation. My passion is to embrace sustainable farming and horticulture. With a BSc in Agriculture, I am dedicated to promoting environmentally conscious and efficient agrarian practices.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture (Hons.)
Master of Science. (Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security ) (MS)
Bangladesh Agricultural University