Strawberry pests

[Just-Moxie]

I am trying to grow some strawberry plants. Well, something keeps taking bites out of the ripe berries, but I didn't know what. I think I found out yesterday. Crickets.
Now, does anyone know what I need to do about the crickets? I hate to resort to poison, as we have free range chickens all over the place. (I thought it was the chickens)

Maybe using screen cloth somehow, as a barrier.

 

[MontyJ]

It's possible that crickets are the culprit, they are omnivorous, but I would suspect birds first. If you could post a pic of the damage, we could probably tell. Just because you don't see birds in the berries, doesn't mean they are not guilty. I had a real problem with sparrows in the strawberries this year. It took several days of vigilance to catch them in the act.

 

[Just-Moxie]

Hi montyj! I had considered birds at first..so I put my cabbage cages over them. The cages are square, and made out of 1/2" hardware cloth. Birds were eating them last summer. I know it isn't ants, because the ants only find them after they have been ate into. Yesterday, when I was checking them, I saw some crickets hopping away. Since I have leaf mulch under the berry plants, they have plenty of places to hide.
So, I am thinking crickets. Oh how my chickens would love to eat them, but I have to keep mine locked up. The neighbors can free range their chickens, which come into our yard. But we can't as the neighborhood dogs attack our birds but not theirs.
I'll try to get some pics later on in the day. Right now it is overcast. Not good for pic taking.

 

[lesa]

I have a feeling mice take bites out of mine...

 

[MontyJ]

You're probably right then. Darn those critters! If one doesn't try to clean you out another does!!!

BTW, I would love to see the cabbage cages! I have been gardening a long time, and never heard of or even considered caging the cabbages to keep the butterflies out. I really like that idea!

 

[catjac1975]

I don't know about crickets. I fine birds like to take one bite out of every juicy berry. Need netting.

 

[journey11]

There's a lot of things that will wear out your strawberry patch....mice, chipmunks, birds, slugs, and sometimes I find these little black caterpillars that bore holes into them.

 

[Just-Moxie]

Ok, here is a pic of the cabbage cages.

 

[Just-Moxie]