Strawberries

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by stumorphmac, Jun 16, 2025.

  1. stumorphmac

    stumorphmac cymbidist

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    Hi all any body know how to stop my strawberries being damaged I thought it was slugs but when picking this morning found a woodlice busy at work any deterrent would be welcome
     
  2. fairygirl

    fairygirl Total Gardener

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    Slugs are the main culprit, and once they make a hole, it's then very easy for woodlice to come in and finish off clearing plant material away.
    I pick mine before they get properly ripe, and let them finish indoors. That helps. How/where you're growing them, is also a factor. I have some in a wall basket to make it easier for me, and harder for the slugs. We've had a few fruits already due to the very hot, early spring, and they've ripened on the window - ate them yesterday.
    I put lots of mine in the front garden for the birds etc. I had too many, and I don't even like them that much!
     
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    • Philippa

      Philippa Gardener

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      Agree it's usually slugs/snails ( even Blackbirds ) who begin the damage and then the Woodlice take full advantage of an easy meal.
      I do the same as @fairygirl and finish ripening indoors if it looks as if damage is likely to occur.
       
    • burnie

      burnie Total Gardener

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      Woodlice are the main culprit in my greenhouse where I grow french perpetual fruits, not many slugs or snails inside, but still get damaged fruits. I put an upturned pot on the ground where the woodlice then gather and they are chucked out into the compost heap, they may come back, but it's a long walk for short legs. Apparently you can eat woodlice, they are supposed to taste like shrimps, but I think you would need a heck of a lot of them to make up a lunch.
       
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      • Philippa

        Philippa Gardener

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        You could always bulk up your Woodlice meal with some lightly grilled Vine weevil grubs and invite the birds to lunch with you :biggrin:
         
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        • Adam I

          Adam I Super Gardener

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          They have relatives living in the sea that are over a foot long
          upload_2025-6-23_13-2-50.jpeg
          upload_2025-6-23_13-1-1.jpeg

          cute yet also horrifying
          the last image is from a TAXIDERMIST
           
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          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

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            Also think trilobites fortunately only fossils these days.
             
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            • Philippa

              Philippa Gardener

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              They are pretty impressive tho
               
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