Worms in strawberries are unappetizing but harmless and there are ways to detect and avoid them.
Like all other fruits and vegetables, strawberries are prone to pests, especially if they are grown organically.
Some insects attack the foliage while others go for the fruit.
Credit: Getty/vadimgouida
It’s not always apparent that insects have made their home in the berries.
What Are Those Worms In My Strawberries?
But before then, the damage is nearly invisible.
Are Worms In Strawberries Safe To Eat?
So continue to enjoy yourstrawberry shortcakeandstrawberry ice cream.
After all, most Southerners have eaten freshly picked strawberries their entire life without any ill effects.
Chilling strawberriesimmediately after harvest at 32F will slow or stop the development of larvae.
Keep that carton of berries in your fridge.
And the next time you go strawberry picking, refrigerate your haul right away.
It takes about 15 minutes for the worms to crawl out of the berries.
Rinse the fruit thoroughly with cold water afterward.
To avoid ingesting those chemicals, you should wash your berries before eating them.
First, pick out any moldy or rotting strawberries and throw them out.
Then, soak them in a mixture of 3 cups water and 1 cup white vinegar for 20 minutes.
Drain, rinse, and let them dry on a tray lined with paper towels.
Once they are completely dry, put them back in the fridge.
Soaking in vinegar is used to help prevent mold and keep berries fresh longer.
Skip the produce washes or other disinfectants as they may not be safe.
Simply use clean, running water and rinse the fruit for at least 10 seconds.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD).
Cornell University Fruit Resources.
Turner T.Chow Line: A tiny worm in your strawberry wont hurt you.
OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
June 4, 2020.
