Pests of strawberries and how to deal with them

13.05.2015 Strawberry

About how much active pests Strawberries and the fight against them require some effort, not every summer resident knows. Of course, it’s good if you didn’t have to face any problems when growing this berry in your own area. But, as soon as some problems appear, it is important to solve them in time.

There are many insects that can live on strawberries, causing various diseases. Pest attack prevention must be carried out during the growing season. But, with many pests, if you recognize them in time, you can fight in real time.

Pests of strawberries and the fight against them (photo)

Nematode

These are worms that rarely reach more than one millimeter in length. When the leaves of strawberries began to curl and deform, this is a sure sign that the worms settled on the bushes. The plant itself becomes brittle, and growths resembling cauliflower appear between the stems. This pest is dangerous in that it takes a lot of juice from strawberries, and it ceases to bear fruit. The worm multiplies rapidly, so control measures should be applied promptly.

How to treat a plant and carry out prevention:

For planting, take healthy seedlings, which before planting need to be moistened with hot water (for ten minutes). Then, to completely kill the worm larvae, lower the seedlings in cold water for 15 minutes.
Strawberries need to be planted every year in a new place. Moreover, you can plant bushes in the old place after seven years: the pests of this berry live in the ground for a long time;
When planting bushes need to be surrounded by grooves. Pour lime into them;
If you notice a nematode on a plant, you need to dig it up and burn it right away;

Straw Mite

Another one dangerous pest wild strawberries. He lives in the earth, but strikes the leaves of strawberries. Females are in winter at the base of the petioles. As soon as spring arrives, they begin to lay their eggs, even though the leaves of the plant may not yet bloom. Larvae actively drink plant juice. It is necessary to fight with a tick, otherwise, it will settle in all the bushes until it completely destroys the strawberry plantation.

How to treat a plant and carry out prevention:

Defuse the plant before planting. Act in exactly the same way as for the prevention of the nematode: first lower the bush for 10 minutes in hot water, and then for 15 minutes in ice water;
In the spring, infected bushes will need to be treated with Colloidal Sulfur. If you can’t find it in the store, then you can also use the drug “Karbofos”;
Then wait for the bush to bloom and on the tenth day treat the strawberries with the Neoron preparation;
When the lesion is severe, it is best to remove the infected bushes from the site and burn them;

Spider mite

From the name of this pest, strawberries and methods of dealing with it, it is clear that a spider web appears on the leaves. Then the leaves turn yellow and completely dry. Perhaps this parasite manifests itself especially clearly, so it will be difficult not to notice its appearance.

How to treat a plant and carry out prevention:

Spray bushes with Karbofos. It is best to spray after collecting berries;
After the treatment is carried out, you need to cover the plantation with a film for three hours;
When a tick hit more than 70 percent of strawberries, it is better to mow the bushes as soon as the berries are harvested;
So that new bushes have time to form, mow strawberries should be until August 15;

Aphid

Pests of strawberries and the fight against them, the video shows that aphids often settle on the plant. You can fight it successfully using only folk methods. In particular, three heads of garlic are taken for three liters of ice water. Infuse the solution for a week, and then spray the bushes from the spray gun.

Wasps

Strawberries are so sweet and tasty that wasps adore her. But, it will be easy to distract the wasps if you put cans with a sweet compote next to the beds. It has been verified that sweet compote attracts insects more than garden strawberries.

Birds

It seems that the birds can hardly be called pests, they are harmless and sing beautifully. But the birds can enjoy the fruits, thereby leaving the gardener himself without a crop. To scare away birds, you can put glass balls around the plantation (the ones that are often used in interior design). The balls reflect the light and the birds will peck them, which means they will definitely not feel the taste and aroma of your strawberries.

Yes, strawberry pests there is, but the fight against them may not be necessary if you approach the cultivation of this crop.

So that strawberries grow actively and delight crops without causing problems, certain rules should be followed:

It is imperative to provide prevention during planting in the ground;
Buy plants in nurseries, not from grandmothers;
To move beds every year;
Dig out the weeds. Especially those on which strawberry pests can live;
Plant nearby crops that will repel insects. For example, lupine is often planted for this purpose;