What’s Eating My Strawberry Plant Leaves? (And How to Get Rid of Them)

Strawberry plants are a delicious and nutritious addition to any garden, but they can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. One of the most common problems is damage to the leaves caused by insects.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different insects that can eat strawberry plant leaves, as well as the signs and symptoms of damage. We’ll also provide tips on how to prevent and control these pests so that you can enjoy a healthy and productive strawberry crop.

So if you’re wondering what’s eating your strawberry plant leaves, read on for the answers!

Pest	Symptoms	Solution
Strawberry leafroller	Small, brown caterpillars roll leaves up and feed inside.	Handpick caterpillars and destroy them. Spray plants with a water-and-vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water).
Strawberry aphids	Small, green or pink insects cluster on the undersides of leaves and suck sap.	Spray plants with a water-and-dish soap solution (1 part dish soap to 2 parts water).
Strawberry mites	Tiny, red or yellow mites cause leaves to turn yellow and wilt.	Apply a horticultural oil spray to the plants.
Birds	Birds eat strawberries as they ripen.	Cover plants with bird netting.

Common Pests That Eat Strawberry Plant Leaves

Strawberry plants are susceptible to a variety of pests that can damage the leaves, fruit, and roots. Some of the most common pests that eat strawberry plant leaves include:

• Aphids
• Slugs and snails
• Spider mites
• Earwigs
• Caterpillars
• Japanese beetles
• Thrips
• Whiteflies
• Rodents

Aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They can be found in a variety of colors, including green, red, black, and white. Aphids are typically found on the undersides of leaves, where they suck sap from the plant tissue. This can cause the leaves to wilt, turn yellow, and eventually die. Aphids can also transmit plant diseases.

Slugs and snails

Slugs and snails are mollusks that feed on a variety of plants, including strawberries. They are nocturnal creatures that hide during the day and come out at night to feed. Slugs and snails can cause significant damage to strawberry plants by eating the leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Spider mites

Spider mites are tiny, eight-legged arachnids that feed on the sap of plants. They are typically found on the undersides of leaves, where they spin webs. Spider mites can cause the leaves to turn yellow, brown, or wilt. They can also transmit plant diseases.

Earwigs

Earwigs are small, brown insects that have pincers at the end of their abdomens. They are nocturnal creatures that hide during the day and come out at night to feed. Earwigs can cause damage to strawberry plants by eating the leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are the larval stage of moths and butterflies. They are voracious eaters and can cause significant damage to strawberry plants by eating the leaves, flowers, and fruit. Caterpillars can be identified by their long, slender bodies and the presence of legs.

Japanese beetles

Japanese beetles are large, metallic green beetles that are native to Japan. They were introduced to the United States in the early 1900s and have since become a major pest of many crops, including strawberries. Japanese beetles feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruit of strawberry plants. They can cause significant damage to strawberry plants by stripping the leaves and leaving the plants open to infection.

Thrips

Thrips are small, slender insects that feed on the sap of plants. They are typically found on the undersides of leaves, where they suck sap from the plant tissue. Thrips can cause the leaves to turn yellow, brown, or wilt. They can also transmit plant diseases.

Whiteflies

Whiteflies are small, white insects that are related to aphids. They feed on the sap of plants and can cause significant damage to strawberry plants. Whiteflies can be identified by their white, moth-like appearance. They typically congregate on the undersides of leaves.

Rodents

Rodents, such as rats and mice, can damage strawberry plants by eating the leaves, flowers, and fruit. They can also burrow into the soil and damage the roots of strawberry plants. Rodents can be a significant problem for strawberry growers, especially in areas where rodents are common.

Signs of Pest Damage to Strawberry Plant Leaves

There are a number of signs that can indicate that strawberry plant leaves are being damaged by pests. These signs include:

• Wilted or yellow leaves
• Holes in the leaves
• Webbing on the leaves
• Fraying or ragged edges of the leaves
• Black or brown spots on the leaves

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take action to protect your strawberry plants from further damage.

Wilted or yellow leaves

Wilted or yellow leaves are a common sign of pest damage to strawberry plants. This is because pests can suck the sap out of the leaves, which can cause them to wilt and turn yellow.

Holes in the leaves

Holes in the leaves are another common sign of pest damage. This is because pests can chew holes in the leaves as they feed.

Webbing on the leaves

Webbing on the leaves is a sign that spider mites are present. Spider mites are small, eight-legged arachnids that feed on the sap of plants. They spin webs to protect themselves and their eggs.

Fraying or ragged edges of the leaves

Fraying or ragged edges of the leaves are a sign that earwigs are present. Earwigs are small, brown insects that have pincers at the end of their

What’s Eating My Strawberry Plant Leaves?

Strawberry plants are susceptible to a variety of pests that can damage the leaves, flowers, and fruit. Some of the most common pests that eat strawberry plant leaves include:

• Aphids
• Leafhoppers
• Slugs and snails
• Spider mites
• Thrips
• Whiteflies

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They can be found on the undersides of leaves, where they suck the juices out of the plant. Aphids can cause leaves to wilt, turn yellow, and eventually die. They can also transmit diseases to plants.

Leafhoppers are small, jumping insects that feed on the leaves of plants. They can cause leaves to become discolored, curled, and stunted. Leafhoppers can also transmit diseases to plants.

Slugs and snails are mollusks that feed on a variety of plants, including strawberries. They can be found in moist areas, such as under leaves and rocks. Slugs and snails can cause leaves to be eaten away, leaving holes or ragged edges. They can also damage fruit.

Spider mites are tiny, eight-legged creatures that feed on the sap of plants. They can be found on the undersides of leaves, where they spin webs. Spider mites can cause leaves to become yellow, brown, or wilted. They can also transmit diseases to plants.

Thrips are small, slender insects that feed on the leaves of plants. They can cause leaves to become discolored, curled, and stunted. Thrips can also transmit diseases to plants.

Whiteflies are small, flying insects that feed on the sap of plants. They can be found on the undersides of leaves, where they cluster together. Whiteflies can cause leaves to become yellow, brown, or wilted. They can also transmit diseases to plants.

How to Control Pests That Eat Strawberry Plant Leaves

There are a number of ways to control pests that eat strawberry plant leaves. Some of the most common methods include:

• Physical removal: This involves manually removing pests from the plants. Aphids, leafhoppers, and whiteflies can be removed by spraying them with a strong stream of water. Slugs and snails can be removed by handpicking them off the plants.
• Biological control: This involves using natural predators to control pests. Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps are all effective predators of aphids, leafhoppers, and whiteflies. Nematodes are effective predators of slugs and snails.
• Chemical control: This involves using pesticides to kill pests. Pesticides should be used only as a last resort, as they can be harmful to the environment and to humans. When using pesticides, it is important to follow the directions on the label carefully.

Preventing Pests from Eating Your Strawberry Plant Leaves

The best way to prevent pests from eating your strawberry plant leaves is to take steps to make your plants less attractive to pests. Some of the things you can do include:

• Plant resistant varieties: There are a number of strawberry varieties that are resistant to pests. Talk to your local nursery or garden center about which varieties are best for your area.
• Keep the area around your strawberry plants clean: Remove weeds and debris from around the plants, as these can provide hiding places for pests.
• Mulch around your strawberry plants: Mulch helps to keep the soil moist and cool, which can help to deter pests.
• Water your strawberry plants regularly: Watering your plants regularly helps to keep the leaves healthy and strong, which makes them less attractive to pests.
• Avoid using pesticides near your strawberry plants: Pesticides can kill beneficial insects as well as pests. Using pesticides near your strawberry plants can actually make them more attractive to pests.

Strawberry plants are susceptible to a variety of pests that can damage the leaves, flowers, and fruit. By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep your strawberry plants healthy and productive.

What’s eating my strawberry plant leaves?

There are a number of pests that can eat strawberry plant leaves, including:

• Aphids
• Spider mites
• Slugs and snails
• Earwigs
• Caterpillars
• Birds

How can I tell what’s eating my strawberry plant leaves?

The signs of different pests can vary, but some common symptoms include:

• Aphids: small, green insects that cluster on the undersides of leaves, causing them to wilt and turn yellow
• Spider mites: tiny, red or brown insects that leave behind a fine web on leaves, causing them to turn brown and dry
• Slugs and snails: leave behind slime trails and holes in leaves
• Earwigs: small, brown insects that eat leaves at night, leaving behind ragged edges
• Caterpillars: large, green or brown worms that chew holes in leaves
• Birds: eat leaves, flowers, and fruit

How can I get rid of pests that are eating my strawberry plant leaves?

There are a number of ways to get rid of pests that are eating your strawberry plant leaves, including:

• Physical removal: You can physically remove pests from your plants by hand, using a soft brush or cloth.
• Insecticidal soap: Insecticidal soap is a safe and effective way to kill aphids, spider mites, and other soft-bodied pests.
• Neem oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can be used to kill a variety of pests, including aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars.
• Diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural insecticide that works by cutting through the exoskeletons of pests, causing them to dehydrate and die.
• Traps: You can use traps to catch and kill pests, such as sticky traps for aphids and earwigs, and beer traps for slugs and snails.
• Natural predators: You can attract natural predators to your garden, such as ladybugs and lacewings, to help control pests.

How can I prevent pests from eating my strawberry plant leaves?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent pests from eating your strawberry plant leaves, including:

• Plant resistant varieties: Choose strawberry varieties that are resistant to pests, such as “June-bearing” and “everbearing” strawberries.
• Prune your plants regularly: Pruning your plants will help to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of pests.
• Keep your garden clean: Remove weeds and debris from your garden to help reduce the number of places where pests can hide.
• Water your plants regularly: Watering your plants regularly will help to keep them healthy and strong, making them less attractive to pests.
• Use mulch: Mulching your plants will help to keep the soil moist and cool, which will also help to deter pests.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your strawberry plants healthy and free from pests.

Strawberry plants are a popular and delicious crop, but they can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. In this article, we discussed some of the most common causes of strawberry leaf damage, including insects, diseases, and environmental factors. We also provided tips on how to identify and treat these problems.

By following these tips, you can help keep your strawberry plants healthy and productive. However, it is important to remember that no single pest or disease control method is 100% effective. The best way to protect your strawberries is to use a combination of preventive and control measures.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

• Prevention is the best way to protect your strawberries from pests and diseases. This includes planting resistant varieties, rotating crops, and practicing good sanitation.
• If you do see signs of damage, it is important to identify the problem quickly so that you can take action to treat it. The sooner you treat a problem, the less damage it will cause to your plants.
• There are a variety of ways to treat strawberry pests and diseases, including chemical pesticides, organic pesticides, and cultural controls. The best way to treat a problem will depend on the specific pest or disease you are dealing with.

By following these tips, you can help keep your strawberry plants healthy and productive, and enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious strawberries.