Pest identification
What's eating my mara des bois strawberry?
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Root destruction by grubs; plants wilt in summer despite adequate water; adult notch marks on leaf margins
Control: Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes in late summer while soil is warm and moist; repeat each year for container-grown plants
Slugs and snails
Signs: The small aromatic fruits are heavily targeted; irregular holes in berries at all stages of ripening
Control: Thick straw mulch under plants; ferric phosphate pellets; slug-proof barriers around raised beds or containers
Birds
Signs: Ripe fruits taken repeatedly across the long season (June–October); consistent crop loss
Control: Maintain netting over the entire everbearing season; check for gaps after wind or heavy rain
Keep mara des bois strawberry pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats mara des bois strawberry — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common mara des bois strawberry problems & fixes
- Mara des Bois Strawberry watering schedule
- Mara des Bois Strawberry light requirements
- Full mara des bois strawberry care guide
Mara des Bois Strawberry pests — FAQ
What is eating my mara des bois strawberry?
Mara des Bois is an everbearing strawberry with a long season, giving slugs, vine weevil, and birds extended opportunity to cause damage. Its thin-skinned aromatic berries are especially attractive to birds and slugs. Vine weevil grubs are the most damaging underground threat. Net, mulch with straw, and treat soil with nematodes in late summer.
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on mara des bois strawberry?
Root destruction by grubs; plants wilt in summer despite adequate water; adult notch marks on leaf margins Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes in late summer while soil is warm and moist; repeat each year for container-grown plants
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on mara des bois strawberry?
The small aromatic fruits are heavily targeted; irregular holes in berries at all stages of ripening Thick straw mulch under plants; ferric phosphate pellets; slug-proof barriers around raised beds or containers
How do I get rid of birds on mara des bois strawberry?
Ripe fruits taken repeatedly across the long season (June–October); consistent crop loss Maintain netting over the entire everbearing season; check for gaps after wind or heavy rain