I have a small patch of strawberries in the garden, but even before they get ripe, ants eat out big holes in them. Is there any way to prevent that? I'm hesitant to use poisons around fruit that I'm going to eat.
2007-05-15 01:12:33 · 6 answers · asked by Ymmo the Heathen 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Oh I don't think so. I would bet it is night feeders like slugs that are eating holes.
Use slug bate containers.... bet you have slugs.
2007-05-15 01:17:45 · answer #1 · answered by Barbados Chick 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think Barbados is right, ants are secondary feeders on a wound. If the wound is very smooth and round, the slugs get my vote too. If the holes are rough and jagged the culprits are birds, in my specific case Robins (the course American version, can't remember the cute little cheeky British ones giving me any trouble). For those of you who think they're worm pulling meat eaters, they love strawberries! And British slugs prefer ale over lager.
2007-05-15 08:46:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to use if you don't want chemicals is insecticidal soap
http://www.treehelp.com/shopping/product-detail.asp?Product_ID=2212
And as for the make it yourself kind use caution....the store bought are tried and tested before they are sold.
RE: Ants on strawberries?
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg052217127236.html
according to the link above that don't start the hole but they will come along and finish it.
............Rollie Pollies could be the culprit,......... or ................slugs..........
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/pests/slug.htm
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ipm/msg061430387258.html
................For the Ants..............
........Sevin-10 Bug Killer Dust...........
I think you can use this up to a few days before harvesting.......
You can even use it on you dogs for fleas..........Just don't get it in a pond.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Lawn_and_Garden-Pest_Control-All-Sevin_10_Bug_Killer_Dust/display_~reviews
...........For the Slugs they .................
make a product called Sluggo
http://www.biconet.com/crawlers/sluggo.html
Environmentally Friendly
Controls snails and slugs
yet is non-toxic to wildlife and pets
2007-05-15 09:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put about a cup of beer in a saucer beside the plants, slugs are attracted to it. Then you'll know for sure.
2007-05-15 09:17:46 · answer #4 · answered by cynthia e 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Slugs are your culprit. They can eat enourmous holes in fruit in just one night - any often they're the little tiny slugs. I always wonder where they put it!
2007-05-15 08:48:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree - you have slugs.
2007-05-15 08:24:37 · answer #6 · answered by dsgrieve 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋