Strawberries ‘won’t be touched by pests’ if protected with simple item

A gardening pro has shared “such a great” tip to help keep your strawberries untouched by pests. Summer is finally here and though the sunshine has only been making sporadic appearances as of late, it’s still the time of year where we see many fruits and vegetables begin to flourish.

One of the most popular summertime sweet treats is the humble strawberry. Succulent, versatile and delicious on its own or when added to countless recipes from desserts to cocktails, it’s no wonder the fruit is a firm favourite among so many. Unfortunately, it’s also popular among pests who love nibbling and snacking on them.

Gardener Glen, who shares a string of helpful gardening tips and recommendations on the hit social media platform TikTok, recently posted a video to try and help people keep their strawberries in tip top shape, and free from unwanted bites from wildlife.

In the footage, Glen can be seen showcasing his strawberries while they’re still attached to the plant.

In a voiceover, he explains: “How to stop your strawberries from being eaten by pests. The last thing you want is for your strawberries to be eaten by slugs or birds when they’re very close to being harvested.”

He then takes out a small bag, which is proving to be his secret weapon when it comes to keeping his strawberries at their best.

Glen continues: “These little pocket bags, called organza bags, are breathable, let water in, and have a drawstring to cover the fruit.”

The avid gardener demonstrates putting the bags around the strawberries while using the handy drawstring to keep them closed.

This ensures the strawberries are inaccessible to wildlife but the breathable nature of the organza bags still allows water and air in so the strawberries can continue to ripen.

He added: “These are super cheap and you can buy them in packs – they are reusable and you no longer have to worry about your fruit being eaten.”

In the comments section beneath the TikTok video, viewers expressed their thanks for the helpful tip.

One person shared a humorous anecdote about their disastrous attempt to implement Glen’s hack: “Yes but my puppy pulled them off – pulling the unripe strawberries off with them!”

Another person simply added: “Such a great idea!”

Strawberries aren’t just tasty, they also offer a litany of potential health benefits. Web MD states: “The health benefits of strawberries are plentiful. They naturally deliver vitamins, fiber, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols – without any sodium, fat, or cholesterol.

“They are among the top 20 high-antioxidant fruits and are a good source of manganese and potassium. Just one serving – about eight berries – provides more vitamin C than an orange.

“Strawberries also have minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, folate, and magnesium, along with antioxidants called anthocyanins. Those are healthful plant compounds that give strawberries their red color.”

It’s important to maintain a balanced diet to ensure your body has the essential nutrients it needs, as well as sufficient energy, and protection against diseases.