strawberry plants - small worms - Ask Extension
Hi - we have a raised bed of ever-bearing strawberries. Last year, the fruit would become inundated with small white worms. I just looked through the ...
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strawberry plants - small worms #300541
Asked February 10, 2016, 5:47 PM EST
Hi - we have a raised bed of ever-bearing strawberries. Last year, the fruit would become inundated with small white worms. I just looked through the soil around the plants (they do not have flowers on them now) and the top inch of soil is full of these small worms. Is there something I can do now to minimize the impact of the worms on the fruit. I am concerned for the other fruit in the yard: blueberres, raspberries, pears, and kiwi.
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question.
It is difficult to tell specifically what kind of creature is in your pictures, but they do look more like larvae than worms. It is also unlikely that the creatures you saw last summer were the same as these, as different species have different seasons to lay eggs, go through the larval stage and pupate.
A question I would ask is, are they causing damage to the roots or leaves of your strawberries? If they are, a larvicide may be necessary to cut back the population and stop the damage to your strawberry plants.
A commonly used microbial larvicide is called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. To achieve the best results, please follow some simple but important guidelines:
I do hope this information helps. Once again, thank you for using Ask an Expert.
It is difficult to tell specifically what kind of creature is in your pictures, but they do look more like larvae than worms. It is also unlikely that the creatures you saw last summer were the same as these, as different species have different seasons to lay eggs, go through the larval stage and pupate.
A question I would ask is, are they causing damage to the roots or leaves of your strawberries? If they are, a larvicide may be necessary to cut back the population and stop the damage to your strawberry plants.
A commonly used microbial larvicide is called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. To achieve the best results, please follow some simple but important guidelines:
- Spray only the parts of the plants which are being eaten. Spray those thoroughly.
- Treat with Bt in the late afternoon or evening of a sunny day or on a consistently gray or drizzly day, as Bt breaks down in sunlight.
- Be aware that Bt does not kill larvae immediately, but they will stop feeding almost immediately.
- If these larvae are not feeding on your strawberries, do not treat them with Bt, as they could be the larvae of beneficial insects.
I do hope this information helps. Once again, thank you for using Ask an Expert.
