There are small, black, yellow-spotted beetles feeding on my strawberries. What should I do?

Question:

There are small, black, yellow-spotted beetles feeding on my strawberries. What should I do?

Answer:

The small, black beetles are likely sap beetles.  They are also known as picnic beetles or picnic bugs.  Sap beetles commonly feed on overripe or damaged fruits and vegetables in the garden. 

Sanitation is the best management strategy for sap beetles in home gardens.  Keep the strawberry patch as clean as possible through timely picking and removal of damaged, diseased, and overripe fruit. 

Insecticide sprays are available for sap beetles but they are difficult to use because they are applied to a crop that is ready for harvest or while harvest is underway.  If you do spray, use an insecticide with a short harvest-waiting interval and follow label directions carefully.