How to Keep Insects Out of My Strawberry Plants

Strawberries grow on the ground, which makes them a tempting target for insects. Insects that can attack strawberries range from ants to mites to leaf rollers. These insects can attack strawberries before they ripen. By the time you pick the berry, you may find that a large portion of it is missing.The best method of keeping insects out of strawberries is to treat the berries with a preventative insecticide.

Mower
Pruning shears
Plastic bag
Insecticide spray

Instructions

- 1
  Contact your county extension office to inquire which insects are most likely to be a problem this year. Your local land grant college and the USDA keep track of insect populations and movements. An agent with the extension service can also recommend insecticides for insect control in strawberries.
- 2
  Mow the foliage of your plants in early February to eliminate vegetation from the previous season. Collect all the clippings, bag and discard them. Remove all plants that are older than 2 years from the strawberry bed.
- 3
  Spray strawberry plants once the foliage appears with an insecticide formulated for control of specific insects. Continue to spray throughout the growing season.
- 4
  Harvest berries as they ripen. Leaving ripe fruit on the vine attracts insects.
- 5
  Remove all dead vegetation from strawberry plants to avoid providing cover for insects.

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