Tiny worms in raised bed attacking strawberries

by Gayle
(Salem, OR USA)

I have a raised garden bed planted with strawberries. It is June in western Oregon. Today while harvesting the ripe berries, I noticed several of them have a cluster of very tiny worms eating on them. It seems like it is mainly on the berries that are lying directly on the soil. What are they and how do I get rid of them?

Comments for Tiny worms in raised bed attacking strawberries

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Jul 28, 2015

Little worms in strawberries
by: Anonymous

Bingo, just read this. I had these maggoty things! I was told to mix water with one third vinegar, best being apple cider vinegar in a sprayer bottle and blast them, I mean spray them, but my teeth were gritted! I did this as was told once in morning and again late afternoon for 3 days. This stops the breeding cycle and I did it about every week to 10 days for several times, can't exactly recall. Lovely seeing it worked. Sometimes as fruit kept ripening I'd give them another go or two just in case. Make sure these luscious fruits are as dry as possible, so put some straw or mulch under them and only water in morning or with a soaker irrigation hose. I also tried some bottles under some strawberry trusses to keep them off ground and warm them on the glass. This was awesome too. Good luck

Aug 06, 2015

Strawberry seed beetles
by: Tim

Sounds like strawberry seed beetle, and it's not the beetle but the larvae form. The seeds of strawberries, those hundreds of tiny little yellow/brown seeds on the outside of strawbs, are eaten by this larvae or worm and then the worm gets inside and does more damage. Hope the vinegar has worked.

Jul 29, 2016

Me too
by: Anonymous

I'm in New Zealand and I too have a raised garden bed of strawberries and have the same problem. I wondered if it was as a result of a neighbourhead cat using the bed as a bathroom. I have found evidence of this on occasion. I will try the vinegar rememdy too. I have been deciding to pull them out and planting them in tyres as I used to do.
Colleen

Sep 05, 2017

Spotted wing drosophila
by: Anonymous

It is most likely spotted wing drosophila, new to the region and wreaking havoc in fruit production. Look it up to determine a treatment plan and be sure to use a credible site...i.e. a seed company or a master gardener page, read recommendations thoroughly and use any products responsibly!

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