Plant Doctor Archive

Holes in strawberry leaves

I have something eating small holes in the leaves of my strawberry plants — I have searched all over them and cannot find the culprit. Could it be earwigs?

It could be earwigs eating the leaves of your strawberry plants or slugs and snails. Earwigs are beneficial insects to have in the garden because they are pest predators. They like to hide under leaves and bark in the garden.

Scrunch up newspaper and place around your strawberry plants — the earwigs will hide in the newspaper and you can dispose of it in the rubbish or elsewhere.

If you suspect slugs and snails, use a slug and snail bait such as Blitzem or Quash. Quash contains iron chelates and is not harmful to birds, animals or children.

Advice by Dr Dan Blanchon from Unitec's Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Bachelor of Resource Management.

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