Comments on: Raspberry Beetle – Not a Six on Saturday

By: Paddy

Paddy — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 17:31:37 +0000

In reply to Nate. I try not to think about it! ;)

By: Nate

Nate — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 14:07:14 +0000

My dad grew a long row of raspberries in western Washington state. I saw plenty of raspberries with damage like yours, but assumed it was just something that raspberries did. I wonder how many beetles I ate without knowing it.

By: Paddy

Paddy — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 15:38:26 +0000

In reply to Lora Hughes.

It’s one of the disadvantages of the raspberries growing semi-wild – I’ve just let them continue growing there for the last 9 years or so… I think the ground is showing signs of getting fed up with those raspberries being there!

By: Paddy

Paddy — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 15:37:33 +0000

In reply to Anna Greenwood.

I did consider moving a couple of raspberry plants (I accidentally lifted on while I was weeding, and it came out bare rooted, so I should be able to rinse the roots to make sure there’s no grubs lurking) in a different part of my plot to see if I can trick the raspberry beetle – I’ve got a spare bit of space near my herb patch, so that might be worth a try to see if that soil is unaffected.

Let me know how yours get on!

By: Paddy

Paddy — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 15:33:15 +0000

In reply to Debbie Zimmerman.

We get some large birds (mostly crows / ravens) drinking from the water troughs, but they don’t hang around long – I think the neighbourhood cats scare most of them off.
That’s an interesting thought on chickens though!

By: Paddy

Paddy — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 15:32:33 +0000

In reply to Jane. I didn't realise these grubs were a problem over your side of the pond as well! I'm hoping that the local badger population might enjoy snacking on them....

By: Lora Hughes

Lora Hughes — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 16:13:41 +0000

Haven’t a clue, but will be checking mine very closely next year. Thanks for this Not Six warning! Hope you get some informative responses to you question.

By: Anna Greenwood

Anna Greenwood — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 16:54:20 +0000

Hi, yes mine were exactly the same and I self diagnosed raspberry beetle. I had half stemmed my autumn rasps for an earlier crop and most of the early berries showed signs of raspberry beetles. Current rasps are fine. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Not sure of way forward. I think i’ll move them and start over with some new canes. Good luck with yours, Anna ( in the UK)

By: Debbie Zimmerman

Debbie Zimmerman — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 07:18:06 +0000

Very interesting and educational post. I’ve never seen or heard of this pest here in Georgia, USA. I do spend a lot of effort attracting birds to my garden, by planting fruiting bushes of various kinds including native plants with winter seeds that birds like, and letting the birds freely feed from them (never netting, etc); I also leave wild areas in corners and unclipped hedges wherever possible, for habitat, as well as putting up birdhouses and placing bird feeders and birdbaths. I have read more than once that water is more important than birdfeed for attracting birds, and that birds are especially attracted to dripping or moving water as in a fountain. I also found the following (very similar to what you found) while researching your raspberry beetle online: “After harvest, raking or shallowly cultivating the soil around your raspberry canes can break up pupating larvae in the soil. If you keep chickens, this is a great time to let them in the garden to help destroy the tasty beetles.” Which raised an interesting thought – if you can’t attract wild birds, can you bring in your own as needed?

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 22:50:29 +0000

I’ve seen this kind of damage on wild blackberries here and I’ve also seen similar grubs, ( and possibly eaten a few!) but don’t have any answers I’m afraid.