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Wild Strawberry · Fragaria vesca

What is eating my wild strawberry leaves?

Wild strawberries are tasty treats for garden visitors like slugs and snails. Check the undersides of leaves and the soil surface at night to identify the culprits.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny insects.
  2. Check the soil surface for slugs or snails at night.
  3. Look for sticky residue on the leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Slugs and Snails

    Most likely

    How to tell: Large, irregular holes in the leaves and slimy trails left behind on the foliage.

    What to do: Handpick them in the early evening when they are active. You can also place shallow dishes of beer or use copper tape around the base of the plant to deter them.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: Tiny green or black insects clustering on new growth and flower buds.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a gentle stream of water to knock them off. If the infestation persists, use insecticidal soap according to the label instructions.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your wild strawberry

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Minor damage is usually manageable, but you should act if the pests are destroying the crown or preventing fruit development.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your plants clear of debris and weeds to reduce hiding spots for slugs.

Wild Strawberry: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wild strawberry and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Are these pests harmful to the fruit?
Yes, slugs and snails will happily eat your ripening strawberries, so keep an eye on them as fruit develops.
Do I need harsh chemicals?
No, manual removal and simple barriers are usually enough to keep these pests under control.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Wild Strawberry

Back to the Wild Strawberry guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.