Strawberries – Protecting Against Bugs

Q: I have little bugs eating all my strawberries. When I disturb them they roll up into a ball.

A: Sowbugs (roly-polies) are not usually a pest but they can be a problem on soft fruit that is close to the soil. They damage strawberries themselves and also chew on the fruits after slugs and birds have visited. Remove mulch from around the plants. Carbaryl (Sevin, Bayer Garden Insect Control, etc) spray will control them.