strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)

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the storm fisherman

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Hi All
I have problem with sow bugs eating my strawberries before I get to harvest them
what is the best  way to control them and stop my strawberries from being decimated.
I have the strawberries in a raised bed with a cover of straw around them to keep them of the ground
and they are netted to stop the birds. Any help will be most appreciated .
Arthritis is not an excuse it is a way of life

when the growing get tough keep calm and have a cup of tea

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mumofstig

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2013, 21:18 »
woodlice usually only feed in holes that are made by something else  ;)
Have you protected the strawbs from slugs n snails  :unsure:

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Beetroot queen

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2013, 21:43 »
Only time we had this problem is when we put straw down, we now dont straw at all.

To be honest the strawberries are only attacked when they have been left to go too ripe but as MOS says they tend to follow someone elses dinner

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the storm fisherman

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2013, 06:38 »
Hi all
Thanks for the info I  didn't have any protection but I put  some copper around the tubs  this weekend just gone
Would the slugs be hiding under the straw??

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mumofstig

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2013, 09:22 »
Yes, they probably are  :(

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the storm fisherman

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2013, 09:39 »
Hi mumofstig
Thanks for info
I shall clear the straw when I get home tonite if the rain holds off

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simpson-allen

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2013, 12:04 »
I use black landscape fabric that does the same trick in keeping the fruits off the soi, suppressing weed growth in addition to acting as a physical barrier for the slugs to get through. They still come up of course through the slits you make at the base of the plant but far less than I used to get.  It also helps if you're going to put down  a few pellets, as  they stand out really well against the black fabric and you can see when they need renewing. If I want to create new plants, I just put the runners into small pots with compost and clip them in with  a small section of bent over coat hanger. The pots tend to stand up more readily as well as the fabric creates a smoother surface for them to stand on. Hope that helps.

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the storm fisherman

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2013, 19:12 »
Hi All
after removing the straw I found no slugs or snails also there has been no further damage done last night and today . I think they came in up over the side and with the copper band in place that I fitted Monday that should keep them out  but I will keep an eye on them .

on a different point I have found out that half the bed is of the climbing variety I wondered why is was getting fairly tall plants with loads of runners. I was also told that they may Everest variety but  they have little flower on but plenty of growth.

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8doubles

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Re: strawberry being decimated by sow bugs (wood louse)
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2013, 19:57 »
Cheeseybobs do eat strawberries and need no help to break in to them !
The cure is the same as for slugs, little blue pellets which dim woodlice prefer to prime strawbs ! :)
« Last Edit: July 02, 2013, 19:58 by 8doubles »


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