Woodlice eating my strawberries

natlie

Hi
I have a bit of an issue with woodlice eating my beautiful strawberries - I have had blackbirds eat the first few but have solved that with insect netting but its not helping with the woodlice as they must be getting in underneath - I picked a huge red strawberry earlier and 4 woodlice fell out the middle of it! its a bit distressing because from 80 plants we have only managed to get 8 of our strawberries off so far. I am not using pesticides - anything else I can use?
Ta
Nat
xxx

cootambear

I share your pain. You can get your own back by eating THEM, they are a land crusteacean, good for stir fry.

QUOTE
#
A combined approach is needed to minimize the damage wrought by problem infestations of garden pest Wood Lice.

Consider some of these vegan pest control methods:

Cultural Methods for Garden Pest Wood Lice

• Pay attention to your composting so it achieves a good heat. This will tend to drive out Wood Lice from using it as a hotel and breeding site. Also allow the compost to thoroughly decompose before using it in the garden.

• Before planting out seedlings, wait until they are well grown and sun harden them to toughen the stems.

• When planting out seedlings, clear a space around them of mulch of at least 10 cm (4 inches). Only water early in the morning.

• Drip irrigate your plants to avoid creating ideal conditions for Wood Lice over large areas. Avoid over-watering, and allow the ground to dry between waterings.

• Discourage fungal problems by promoting good air flow around your plants. Grow sprawling vines (e.g. pumpkin) on trellises or lift them off the ground with bricks.

Trapping Garden Pest Wood Lice You can make an irresistible lure for Wood Lice using pieces of cut potato, orange shells, grated cheese or strawberries sandwiched between two thick layers of damp newspaper.

Set the lure out late in the day in a moist spot in your garden and then collect up the trapped Slaters in the early morning by wrapping up the whole shebang and unfurling it to your chickens for breakfast – they’ll love them!

Garden Hygiene Approach for Garden Pest Wood Lice

Hot breeding sites for Wood Lice include stacks of rotting timber, rocks, bricks, compost, weeds, prunings, newspaper, or mulch… just the sorts of things that an organic gardener or farmer tends to have in abundance around the place!

Tidy up your garden in late winter to remove any unnecessary breeding sites. The good news is that Woodlice don't travel far from their breeding sites, so keeping such material stored in a spot away from your young seedling beds is a worthwhile strategy.

Encourage Natural Predators of Garden Pest Wood Lice

There are a lot of critters that love to dine on our little land crustaceans, including toads, lizards, some hunting spiders and beetles, centipedes, wasps, shrews and birds. The same critters will also snaffle up other problem pests in the garden, so create habitat and friendly conditions for them.

I think a good tidy is the first step. They like dark places to hide in Look under shelters eg rocks and squish them.