Red spider mites are typically found in greenhouse-grown strawberries. To prevent and manage leaf spots, it is recommended to cease overhead irrigation and switch to either drip irrigation or manual watering. If leaf spots are caused by rain, prune off the affected leaves and discard them. In the case of red spider mites in the greenhouse, a biological control method can be employed. This involves using one pest to feed on another pest or employing one animal to feed on another. For instance, the use of a biological control agent called Spidex, provided by Cooper Kenya, involves the application of live organisms that feed on red spider mites.
Anthracnose and Botrytis
Another pest and disease to consider is anthracnose and botrytis, which are fungal diseases. To prevent these diseases, you can use greenhouse paper to cover the top of your beds. By employing this method, your fruits will be protected from coming into contact with water, thereby avoiding anthracnose and botrytis.
Slugs
The third pest to address is slugs, which can cause significant damage to fruits by consuming them entirely or partially. To deter birds from feeding on your fruits, you can utilize netting options such as shade net, fishing net, or galvanized chicken mesh. Netting can be implemented using either an overhead netting system or a low tunneling system. Both methods effectively prevent birds from accessing and consuming your fruits.
