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Strawberry problems... Pests?

cheer_chiq03cheer_chiq03 Posts: 4
in Problem solving

Help! Something has been destroying my strawberries. Last year they produced beautifully and abundantly, but the slugs kept eating them all. This year we have some slugs still (we've been trying to address them), but that isn't our only problem. It looks almost like something is eating the seeds off the fruit or something. The plants themselves are very healthy and flourishing. Any ideas? I would really love to be able to actually enjoy some strawberries this year.

Posts

  • cheer_chiq03cheer_chiq03 Posts: 4
    philippa smith2 says:

    Birds, particularly Blackbirds, often go for Strawbs if they show the slightest tinge of red.  If you think this might be the case, a bit of twilweld or chicken wire over the plants may help.

    See original post

    There have been a lot of robins looking rather curious lately. I would have thought they would eat holes in the berries though, not just the seeds? I do have some bird netting I've been meaning to put on them. Maybe I'll try that and see if the problem resolves.

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328

    There's a thing called a Strawberry Seed beetle which eats... yes, the seeds off the strawberries.  They feed at night so you could try going out with a torch and picking them off.  You can't use any chemical controls though, or you can't eat the fruit.

    Squirrels are eating my strawberries... they bite holes in the bird netting and squeeze through.  image

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • cheer_chiq03cheer_chiq03 Posts: 4

    Oh interesting! Thanks for that information. I was unable to find anything about something eating the seeds, so that's very helpful!

    Sqirrels sure can be... Well, squirrelly, can't they!

  • cheer_chiq03cheer_chiq03 Posts: 4
    Mike Allen says:

    Times have changed also methods of growing. In the past, gardeners would line their strawberry plants out on open ground.  As with most soft fruits, some prtection has been called for.  Cloches and nets.  However this has only hampered attacks by birds.

    The creepy crawlies also have been a problem.  Slugs, snails, soil roving beetles, wireworms etc, and not forgetting the flying invaders.  Sadly chemical protection is limited, almost to nil usage.

    So commercial growers and plant scientist came to the conclusion to.  Grow the plants up above the ground level.  This has proved a great idea.  So try on a small scale to construct an X shaped growing trough.  The lower part of the X being the legs.  I suggest having the top of the X say two feet six high.  You can have side rails or not.  Sheet polythene can be stretched from one end to the other, intermediate X can be used.   Now fill yje upper section with a good rich humus/compost.  Plant your plants.  Yes you might need to protect from birds but, soil dwellers are out.  Picking is in.  Hope this helps in some way.

    See original post

     Thank you for that insight! I might need to move them then. I didn't even think of that

  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    image

    Anyone any ideas who might be enjoying my strawberries? Perfectly hollowed out. I reckon it must be a tiny field mouse as the fruit cage is new this year and is perfectly secure

    I really would like to deter my visitors as we are so excited at having fruit for  the first time.  All suggestions welcome!

    Last edited: 02 July 2017 12:35:08

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • b2gnt45b2gnt45 Posts: 3

    when my strawberries come its a race between me and the blackbirds who gets them first I have all mine in pots off the ground we seem to have a problem with ants so I dont like them on the ground  I usually get a good crop and they are always nice and sweet no need for sugar 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Slugs/snails would be my guess, Lily.  As you have a fruit cage it would be safe to put down a few pellets inside, even if just to confirm a mollusc presence.  As always, a night visit with a torch is always worth as go as most of the likely culprits are nocturnal.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    Thanks Bob no sign of a trail anywhere but I may have to resort to a few pellets to ensure clearance!

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
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