[cheshirecheese]

As if it wasn't enough that a significant proportion of my strawberries are rotting before they're ripe because of the rain, I've discovered that some of those that do make it to the edible stage contain these very thin white worm things 

... anyone know what they are, and if there's anything I can do to prevent them next year?  Thanks

[Goosegirl]

Sorry - no. Have you Googled them?

[cheshirecheese]

Yes, but still haven't been able to identify them properly.  There are a few posts where people have said they've eaten them and are concerned health-wise, but nothing concrete to say (a) what they are and (b) if there's a safe way of getting rid of them!  Safe as in non-toxic for humans that is - not bothered about the worms as they've ruined what was left of my strawberry crop!!!

[aelf]

they could be newly hatched worms, possibly Eisenia foetida

pic is halfway down this page:


http://strumelia.blogspot.co.uk/2009_05_01_archive.html

[cheshirecheese]

No, I don't think they're newly-hatched worms - I'm guessing it's something specific to soft fruit.  They're even thinner than that photo, just like a piece of cotton thread.  Whatever, they've rather put me off my 'one for the colander, one for me' habit whilst picking!!!

[viettaclark]

Some sort of naughty nematode?

[tosca100]

I've just gone off strawberries!