Raspberries are not only popular with people. Pests also like to eat leaves, canes and fruits. How to identify which pests you are dealing with and what you can do about it.
What pests attack raspberries and how do you fight them?
The main pests of raspberries are the raspberry beetle, aphids, raspberry gall midge and raspberry leaf gall midge. Control measures can include knocking off the raspberry beetles, using nettle broth or soapy water against aphids and gall midges, and promoting beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and earwigs with insect hotels.
The most important pests of raspberries
- Raspberry beetle
- Aphids
- Raspberry gall midge
- Raspberry leaf gall midge
Raspberry beetle causes maggot fruits
The raspberry beetle is probably the gardener's worst enemy. It likes to lay its eggs on the leaves and in the flowers of raspberries. The developing larvae eat leaves and cause the fruit to become stunted. The he althy-looking raspberries often contain maggots.
The raspberry beetle only appears in spring. The two to three millimeter large beetle can be seen with the naked eye. By the way, it is only dangerous for summer raspberries. When the autumn raspberries bloom, he no longer lays eggs.
To combat the raspberry beetle, tap the canes. The beetle falls to the ground and is collected. It is also helpful to place a sleeve made of cardboard or straw around the raspberry canes. The beetle larvae collect in it at night and can be removed in the morning.
Aphids and gall midges
They often take action together. You can easily identify aphids if you check the raspberries regularly when caring for them. The fact that gall midges are at work is shown by stunted, dried leaves and weak canes that die after a while.
Hosting down with nettle broth, which you can easily make yourself from nettle herb, is helpful.
Soap suds, which you mix with a dash of vinegar, are also helpful. Spray the affected areas several times with the nettle broth or soapy water until you have driven away all the pests.
Useful garden inhabitants
There are some useful inhabitants in the raspberry bush that are helpful in controlling aphids, gall midges or raspberry beetles. These include earwigs, lacewings and ladybirds.
You should never get rid of these insects and beetles. Instead, install so-called “insect hotels” near the bushes. The use of these garden inhabitants often makes chemical control unnecessary.
Tips & Tricks
Aphids are one of the most annoying pests in the garden. Experienced gardeners recommend adding some nitrogen-containing fertilizer to the soil after the infestation has been eliminated. This can at least delay recurrence.
