Insecticide For Raspberries

One of the pleasures of home gardening is the opportunity to have fresh food just steps away from your kitchen. However, within the garden there are hundreds or even thousands of creatures competing with humans for access to that fresh food. Raspberries are susceptible to many species of insects, mites and roundworms, all with different behaviors and life cycles. Chemical pesticides are undesirable in home gardens, especially gardens growing food, but other, equally effective methods of controlling raspberry pests exist.

Cultural Control

1. 1. 1.

      Spray infested plants with a blast of water from the garden hose, making sure to target the underside of the leaves. This method removes and kills insects on the surface of the leaves and fruit. It is most effective for aphids, some mite species and thrips, which are all pests of raspberries.

1. 2.

   Remove cutworms and other larger grublike pests by hand and exterminate them in a bucket of soapy water. For optimum success, use a flashlight at night to locate and remove the insects.

2. 3.

   Prune damaged and infested plants just below signs of wilting leaves or stem swellings and dispose of the clippings in the trash. This method is particularly effective for boring insects, which are attracted to injured plants and which hide inside canes. The raspberry horntail, raspberry cane maggot and raspberry crown borer are all controlled by pruning.

3. 4.

   Water pathways, patios and areas surrounding the plant. Dusty and dry conditions promote mite infestations.

4. 5.

   Apply a sticky barrier product around the base of the plant to prevent root weevils from reaching and destroying the raspberry roots.

5. 6.

   Place reflective mulch around the raspberry plant to deter aphids and other flying insects. The reflection inhibits the insect’s ability to locate suitable plants.

Biological Control

1. 1.

   Encourage beneficial insects to your garden by providing favorable habitats. Avoid using insecticides that target beneficial insects as well as pests and control dust with watering as needed.

2. 2.

   Introduce beneficial insects to your garden where natural populations are lacking. Ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps and predatory mites are available at garden centers and help to control aphids, thrips, caterpillars, leafhoppers and herbivorous mites.

3. 3.

   Spray infested plants with the naturally occurring bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. Avoid spraying Bt in full sun. Insects must eat the bacterium as it affects their ability to feed. A few applications may be necessary to ensure the complete removal of the pest.