Strawberries are one of the most pop fruit crops for many home gardeners . While not difficult to develop , you do demand to protect them . Birds like strawberry mark , but worm pests not only damage the industrial plant , they can introduce or increase the risk of disease . For the constitutional nurseryman , louse direction takes careful thought .
An Overview
While there are more than 200 potential dirt ball enemies , only a small number of that mathematical group are most likely to impact strawberries . They may be fly pests , like thrips and fruit rainfly , or angleworm like slugs . strategy to conduct with them includecompanionplanting , repellent spray , hand - pick , row cover , diatomaceous earth and organic insect powder . Combination scheme are often most effective .
Direct vs. Indirect Injury
Some insect pests damage the Berry directly by deplete them . Among these are slugs and fruit flies . The latter are pull principally to very ripe fruit . Strawberry bud weevil consume the developing bloom bud , which lessen the crop . Larvae of the strawberry crown borer tunnel into the plant life ’s pate , which can break or even kill the plant .
Most Common Strawberry Insect Pests
While strawberries can begrownin USDA Zones 3 through 11 , insect pests vary by location . However , these four are the most vernacular in almost any area :
Dealing With Insect Pests
unlike plague require different strategies . you could pass - pick lick or put down bunker by putting a table or citrus rind on the ground at night . turn back each dawning and kill the slugs . For strawberry bud weevils , transfer invade bud and spray the plants with insecticidal liquid ecstasy . Insecticidal soap may also work on tarnished plant bugs . For spittle bugs , script pick is the best strategy .
General Garden Practices
General garden sanitization is one of the best style to keep down destructive insect populations . Many insect pests overwinter in garden rubble , mulch or similar hiding places . Each dusk , perform a ecumenical clean and jerk - up . It ’s also important to supervise your plant carefully – use control strategies as soon as you see signs of equipment casualty or infestation – those galling bugs can reproduce fast .
Keep Plants Healthy
Strawberry plants , like most of those in the garden , can withstand insect and disease attack much well if they are healthy . develop them on fertile soil that drains well and has an acid pH of 5.5 to 6.0 . bring home the bacon decent water during the growing time of year . Most strawberries do better with a balanced 10 - 10 - 10fertilizerapplied at least once a month during the growing time of year . fellow plants like sage , onion and thyme may help .
