Bugged About Strawberry Pests? 6 Common Pests, Plus How To Protect Your Precious Strawbs

When it comes to fresh-picked fruit, few plants rival the taste of strawberries. Ripening through summer, gardeners can expect harvests in abundance – unless you suddenly find your plants have fallen foul of strawberry pests. Though most established beds remain relatively carefree, certain pests may take a keen interest in your fruiting plants and burgeoning harvests.

Pests on strawberry plants can result in damage to individual crops and reduced yields overall – so if you’re growing strawberry plants and keen to cultivate the best fruits, it’s vital to take action fast. Here are a few of the more common strawberry plant pests, with tips on how to detect nuisance insects and curb their spread.

Identifying Key Strawberry Pests

Early detection of pests on strawberries will be essential to both plant and fruit health. Quick intervention allows you to maintain plant health and ultimately grow bigger strawberries. Like many garden insects, small numbers of unwanted species are likely to go unnoticed. It is for this reason that regular observation proves so vital as a means to protect strawberries from pests.

This includes keeping a keen eye for sudden changes in color or appearance of plants, as well as their overall growth and vigor. Careful note of such symptoms can further help gardeners to quickly and accurately identify the potential cause and therefore treat in the best way, fast. Find out about key culprits and how to protect strawberries from pests.

1. Aphids

Though difficult to see, aphids can be a source of major damage to strawberry plants. Small insects feed on sap in large numbers, leaving behind a sticky residue. Foliage often begins to yellow, as a result of nutrients drawn from the plant. The insects are also responsible for the spread of disease, transmitting viruses throughout the garden.

Though problematic, aphid infestation will only seldom lead to the loss of plants. Still, relatively swift treatment is needed to keep plants growing at their best. Combat this pest with homemade aphid controls like diluted soaps, water sprays, neem oil solutions and other food-safe applications.

2. Cutworms

The term ‘cutworm’ is most commonly used to refer to a variety of larvae that feed on plants. In the case of strawberries, noctuid moth caterpillars are of special interest. Though damage can be found throughout the plant, ripening fruit is most sensitive. Fortunately, control of cutworms is relatively simple. Manual controls such as frequent hand-picking have proven especially effective in removing cutworms and preventing significant damage.

3. Slugs

Where conditions are moist, the presence of slugs in the garden can be a major point of frustration. Damage done to emerging plants in spring can stunt or delay growth. Injury to fruit before harvest can result in further losses related to the pest. Rough, jagged holes eaten through plant matter, as well as slime trails, are amongst the best indicators that slugs may be active.

You can help to deter these pests through a routine cleanup across the growing space. It’s also possible to deploy simple slug traps and other organic management techniques to keep numbers down.

4. Spittlebugs

Spittlebugs are considered most troublesome throughout newly established beds and those positioned near lawns. The bugs, which feed on the sap of strawberry plants, are likely to appear when conditions are dry.

Their presence will be evident with a spittle-like foam that surrounds the nymphs. Though disconcerting, small numbers of the pests are unlikely to cause any notable damage to plants. Only infrequently will you require spittlebug controls to keep numbers from getting out of hand.

5. Strawberry Root Weevils

Strawberry root weevils (Otiorhynchus ovatus) are of great concern to home and commercial growers alike. Insect larvae can be found feeding on the roots of both wild and cultivated species. Adults will also feed on the plant, chewing its leaves.

As most will overwinter in garden soil, control of established populations can be tricky. The removal of grubs at planting time, and continued hand-picking through summer, will help to control root weevil damage and reduce numbers.

6. Thrips

Damage to strawberry plants caused by thrips can be immense. Large numbers of the pest, feeding on plant sap, can reduce plant health quickly. Signs of thrip infestation include sudden changes in foliage, with leaves taking on a rusted, speckled appearance. Plants may also demonstrate stunted growth, producing blooms that are malformed or fail to open completely.

Immediate treatment is needed to prevent further injury. Common methods of thrip control include the use of diatomaceous earth, insecticidal soap and horticultural oils.

Frequently Asked Questions