How to process strawberries from weevil: spring, summer, autumn

You can fight the weevil on strawberries with folk remedies, biological and chemical preparations. As a preventive measure, the usual agricultural practices are used – crop rotation, cultivation using agrofibre, thorough weeding and loosening. Preventing a pest is easier than getting rid of it. Therefore, preventive measures should be followed.

What does a weevil look like on a strawberry

The weevil is a dangerous insect pest from a large family of beetles, uniting about 50 thousand species distributed on all continents. It goes through 3 stages of development:

1. The larva is thick worms of a creamy, yellowish color, bent by the letter “c”, A characteristic feature is the presence of bristles running all over the body. At the same time, the head is brown, solid.

   

2. Pupa – has the rudiments of legs and wings, the body is exactly the same.

   

3. Adult beetles – mostly up to 1 mm in length, less often up to 5 mm (distinguishable by the eye). They can be both spherical and rhomboid, elongated. The color is varied – from yellow and brown to red and black. There is a long trunk, because of which the pest got its name.

   

The main signs of the appearance of weevil on strawberries:

• numerous small (up to 2 mm) holes on leaf plates;
• drying and falling of buds;
• damage to the bases of petioles of buds;
• fruits of irregular shape.

What does the weevil do with strawberries

Insects feed on juices, green mass of strawberries, and the larvae suck the liquid from the roots. This takes away the strength of the plant and inhibits its development. Therefore, when the first signs of damage appear, you need to get rid of pests. It is better to do this before the buds form, since the females lay their eggs in the flowers.

Is it possible to process strawberries from weevil

It is possible and necessary to process bushes from an insect. For preventive purposes, this is done in spring and autumn. In summer, spraying is carried out only when pests appear:

• before the formation of buds with folk remedies;
• during flowering with chemicals;
• during fruiting – biological insecticides.

It is imperative to get rid of the weevil on strawberries, otherwise the yield will noticeably decrease.

When to Treat Strawberries for Weevil

When planning processing, it is extremely important to respect the deadlines. Usually this procedure is performed in two cycles – in spring and autumn. However, in case of emergency (a large invasion has appeared), spraying is also done in the summer, even before the appearance of berries. If the fruits are already tied, chemicals should not be used.

When to process strawberries from weevil in the spring

Spring processing is carried out in the second half of April. The bed is cleaned, last year’s tops are removed, the soil is loosened, the plants are watered. After that, mulch is laid and sprayed with solutions according to folk recipes or biological preparations.

When to process strawberries from weevil in the fall

Autumn processing of strawberries from weevil is carried out after harvesting – there are no strict deadlines. All damaged leaves are pre-cut off, after which they are sprayed once with a chemical preparation or twice with a biological or folk remedy.

How to process and how to deal with weevil on strawberries in spring, summer and autumn

To get rid of the weevil on strawberries, a variety of methods are used. In the first stages (before flowering), folk remedies help, during budding – chemicals. If the fruits have already appeared, it is better to use only biological preparations. Moreover, after processing, the berries can be harvested only after 3-5 days.

Chemical preparations for weevil on strawberries

If the weevil appeared on strawberries during flowering and fruiting, it has already managed to lay eggs. Therefore, getting rid of insects by simply scaring them away with folk remedies (for example, odorous herbs) will not work. In these cases, the most effective means are used – chemical insecticides:

• “Decis”;
• “Spark double effect”;
• “Green soap”;
• “Fufanon”;
• “Alatar”;
• “Commander”;
• “Medvetoks”.

“Decis” and other chemicals allow you to get rid of pests in 1-2 days

Biological insecticides for weevil on strawberries

You can also water strawberries from weevil with solutions based on biological preparations (insecticides and insectoacaricides):

• “Fitoverm”;
• “Vertimek”;
• “Akarin”;
• “Iskra-bio”;
• “Spinosad”.

The drugs act on insects gradually, the first results are noticeable after 4-5 days. Therefore, spraying is carried out 2 times a week until the complete destruction of the pest. If the situation is not running, two procedures are enough to get rid of insects. The advantage of biological insecticides is the possibility of application at any stage of development, including during flowering and fruiting.

Agrotechnical methods of struggle

Agrotechnical methods of dealing with weevil on strawberries provide for the creation of the right conditions for growing berries:

• careful digging of the beds on the eve of planting;
• regular cleaning of the field from weeds in which weevils and other pests accumulate;
• burning grass and foliage on the site.

It is not recommended to plant a berry next to raspberry bushes. Periodic change of planting site (every 3 years, it is desirable to carry out work in the fall) will help to avoid the mass spread of pests.

Weevil repellent plants

Insects are repelled by the smells of fragrant plants:

• marigold;
• garlic;
• basil;
• mint;
• rosemary;
• tobacco;
• issol;
• lavender;
• lemon sage;
• common tansy;
• lemon balm.

It is also allowed to grind the green mass and pour the resulting slurry next to the bushes.

Setting traps

Weevil pheromone traps contain substances that attract insects for reproduction. Such devices consist of moisture-resistant (laminated) cardboard, which is attached near the beds with a metal wire. Inside the case is a dispenser that releases pheromones.

Pheromone and glue traps allow you to get rid of insects

How to get rid of weevil on strawberries with folk remedies

Folk methods help to eliminate the weevil on strawberries after several treatments. Solutions, infusions or decoctions do not act as quickly as chemicals, but they are completely safe for plants, beneficial insects and humans. They contain in their composition odorous substances that repel the weevil. Therefore, it is better to process it even before flowering (the deadline is at the time of bud formation).

Treatment of strawberries with ammonia from the weevil

Ammonia (ammonia solution) can be purchased at any pharmacy. The tool is quite effective, so only two tablespoons are taken per bucket of water. Stir and start processing from the weevil. Since ammonia has a very pungent odor, it is better to work in a mask.

Treatment of strawberries with boric acid from weevil

Boric acid is a fairly effective and safe remedy for weevil on strawberries. It is better to get rid of the pest even before flowering begins, since then the crop may be lost. Acid is bought at a pharmacy. It is a white powder. It is enough to take 1,5–2 g per bucket of water (at the tip of a teaspoon). It is good to add 15 drops of pharmacy iodine and 30 drops of birch tar to the solution. Mix everything and process the strawberry plantings.

It is also an excellent tool for the destruction of aphids and ants – pests that help each other survive.

How to get rid of weevil on strawberries with wood ash

Wood ash is a versatile tool to get rid of weevil and other insects on strawberries. It is a source of valuable mineral compounds, including phosphorus and potassium. To destroy the beetles, it is necessary to scatter the powder directly on the surface of the beds, and also powder the bushes abundantly. The treatment of strawberries from weevil with wood ash is carried out during the formation of buds, as well as after harvesting (as a preventive measure).

Wood ash helps get rid of insects in 4-5 days

Destroy the weevil with mustard powder

You can eliminate weevils with mustard powder. It is bought at a pharmacy and dissolved in water in an amount of 100 g per 3 liters or 330 g per standard bucket. It is better to dissolve it in a warm, but not hot liquid, then mix thoroughly and start spraying the strawberries from the weevil.

How to get rid of weevil with iodine

If weevils appear on strawberries, it is recommended to treat the bushes with an alcohol solution of iodine, which can be bought at a pharmacy. To do this, add two teaspoons of the substance to 10 liters of water, mix thoroughly and start spraying.

Onion peel to kill weevil

Another universal, proven remedy is onion peel. Cleanings are taken in an arbitrary amount, for example, 100 g per 1 liter of hot water. Insist for a day and filter. If possible, you can immediately add 50 g of chopped celandine. It is also used as a separate tool.

How to get rid of weevil with garlic

To destroy the insect, both cloves and green arrows of garlic are suitable. They are carefully crushed and pour 100 g of a mixture of 10 liters of water, insist for a day. You can cook according to another recipe (for autumn processing) – dry the garlic arrows in advance, chop them, take 100 and also pour a bucket of water at room temperature.

Weevil soap solution

To get rid of the pest, you can use an infusion of household (preferably 72%) or tar soap. It is crushed with a coarse grater, take a teaspoon of chips (with a slide) for each liter of water. Warm up a little (but do not bring to a hot state), mix and insist for a day. Pour into the sprayer and proceed to the procedure.

It is added to any other solutions. Then the active ingredients will stay longer on the surface of the leaves and stems even in rainy and windy weather.

How to get rid of weevil with tobacco dust

The tobacco plant is often planted alongside strawberries and other crops. It is also used in the form of dust, which is taken in the amount of 2 glasses (400 ml in total) and dissolved in a bucket of hot, but not boiling water for 3 days. Mix, strain and start working.

Tobacco dust helps eliminate pests

Chili pepper from weevil

A good poison that allows you to get rid of the weevil on strawberries is chili peppers. It contains capsaicin and other “burning” substances that destroy pests. To work, you need to take only the pods, peel them from the seeds and cut into small pieces (it is better to make a powder). Take 100 g and pour 1 liter of water at room temperature, then filter and bring the total volume to 10 liters.

Infusion of marigolds from weevil

Marigolds, which allow you to get rid of the pest, grow in almost every garden. After flowering, you can cut off the petals and the green part, grind and pour warm, but not hot water (10 liters per 300–400 g). You have to wait 3 days. You can also pour boiling water, then let it cool and insist for several days.

How to get rid of weevil with baking soda

Even baking soda will help get rid of the weevil, especially in the early stages of its appearance. A tablespoon of the powder is poured into 1 liter of water (accordingly, 10 tablespoons are required per bucket), mixed and set to work.

Common mistakes and pest prevention

It is extremely important to get rid of the pest, as it can cause significant damage, which will lead to fruit deformation and significant yield loss.

One of the most common mistakes is related to the violation of deadlines – summer residents tend to use folk remedies without resorting to chemistry. But if you process strawberries from the weevil during flowering, there will be no effect, since the pests will already have time to lay their eggs in the flowers. In this case, you still have to use special preparations.

Processing of plants is carried out in the early morning or late evening or during the day in cloudy weather. Otherwise, bright sunlight will burn the leaves and stems. Also, spraying should not be carried out in strong wind and rain.

In the case of the use of chemical and even biological preparations, the harvest can only be harvested after the waiting period has expired – usually at least 3-5 days.

It is extremely important to observe preventive measures in order to prevent the invasion of pests (it is more difficult to get rid of them than to prevent them). To do this, the fragrant plants listed above are planted next to the plantings. Berries are grown using black agrofibre, the soil is constantly loosened and the ground is mulched (sawdust, peat, needles can be used).

Marigolds and other scented plants will also help get rid of bugs.

Conclusion

Fighting the weevil on strawberries is not so difficult, especially if you use proven and effective means. They need to be applied not uncontrollably, but according to the schedule. In this case, it is better not to abuse chemicals. They help to quickly get rid of the pest, but they should be used no more than twice a season.

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