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Gardeners’ Forum: “strawberries”

• strawberries

  Posted by Tammy Ferrigan on Sunday, July 12, 2009 9:22 AM ADT

  I planted everbearing Strawberries last year and this year they produced lots of berries however, now something is eating all the leaves from my strawberry plants. I live in Pembroke which I guess is considered Nothern Ontario. I live in a sandy area and tend to have lots of ants but have never really been bothered by them, could they be eating the plants? Whatever is eating them must come out at night as I randomly check during the day and haven't seen anythng on the plants. Can you please help as I soon won't have any berry plants left. Thanks

  • re: strawberries

    Posted by Melissa on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 9:10 AM ADT

    Go out at night with a flashlight to catch the culprits in the act, then you will know for sure. My guess is earwigs. If it is earwigs, you'll need to either create a barrier around your strawberry plants of eggshells of diatomaceous earth, or trap them and kill them each morning. Or both. Good luck

  • re: strawberries

    Posted by Brian T on Thursday, July 30, 2009 9:18 PM ADT

    Also it could be rabbits, deer, crows, skunks, porcupines, cats, mice or any other animal. If it is an animal and not an insect try some netting over them. I have never seen an ant eat the leaves but they do nibble on the berries. In a month or so please tell us what you found.

  • re: strawberries

    Posted by Donna B on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 11:33 AM AST

    I too have everbearing strawberries I live in Petawawa. I have the same problemwith ants and earwigs especially! Because its a dark damp place for them to hide. I crush up egg shells and put them all around the plants heavily the shells are sharp so it stops alot of creepycrawlies.Plus its biodegradable.