Sweet Potato Pests - Ask Extension
I dug out my first crop of sweet potatoes on Sept 1st, they were large and grew long and straight, however, there are chewed up areas on them. It alm...
Knowledgebase
Sweet Potato Pests #771490
Asked September 14, 2021, 10:27 AM EDT
I dug out my first crop of sweet potatoes on Sept 1st, they were large and grew long and straight, however, there are chewed up areas on them. It almost appears to be a vole or something that has tiny teeth - see photo attached. Even after I cut away the chewed up sections, are they safe to eat? Should I rotate my crops to prevent this next year? Could this be a wire worm attacking my potatoes?
Mercer County Ohio
Expert Response
It’s a shame how we must share our harvest with animals. I would trim off the damaged areas and thoroughly wash and cook the potatoes. You can review information on the attached link for more help with voles and other crop pests. I don’t recommend and chemical intervention. Normal crop rotation procedures may help but determined animals will find their food source. https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/PNW/PNW0627.pdf
