Topic: The raspberries had maggots on them ugh!

[cacran]

I picked some raspberries that looked lovely and clean, when I went to clean them I saw some tiny maggots squiggling about. I could quite easily have missed them they were so tiny. I am not sure I want to eat any more raspberries, it has made me feel a bit sick. what if any of my jam has them in it??? I know they would not kill me but it is just the thought of it!
Is it anything to do with the time of year or anything??? :(

[ceres]

Raspberry beetle.  The beetle lays eggs in the flowers and when they hatch, the grubs eat into the fruit.  Not much you can do about it - used to be able to use Derris but it's withdrawn now. 

[powerspade]

Blackberries get them too. Soak in a brine for 30 minutes and rinse in cold water and leave to dry

[shirlton]

If you freeze them they come out of the fruit. If you miss some then think of it as a bonus. A bit more protein for you

[Borlotti]

My mother always put blackberries or raspberries in a bowl of salted water (not too salty) and hopefully anything nasty floated to the top, then drain and dry, like powerspade said. I always do this. If I am eating raspberries at the allotment, always open them and inspect them as it is horrible to eat bugs, although it probably won't hurt you.

[cacran]

I will follow the soaking in salty water tip, will the grubs all float to the top then??
I know about the extra protein argument, lol, but to be quite honest, I can't bear the thought.
If I picked them a bit less ripe would they be less likely to have the bugs??

[Busby]

It's important to cut raspberries back (after finishing picking) to below ground level; three inches of dying stem above ground is an invitation to all sorts of invaders.

[Slug_killer]

I just don't look.

Pick 'em and down the hatch in one swift wrist action. What the eye don't see ...

[cacran]

I didn't know that Busby. Mine are the Autumn sort and are still fruiting heavily. Should I wait until they have finished fruiting and cut them off underground with a sharp knife or something?
In the past I have just left them and cut them back in winter to about 6 inches long.
could that be the cause of the squiggly things then??

[shirlton]

I think i would rather eat a few tiny maggots than Spray with the nast stuff       

[Poppy Mole]

I seem to remember as a child my Grandmother's raspberries always had little maggoty things late in the season especially after a drop of rain, to this day I am still wary of fresh raspberries.

[cacran]

Come to think of it, my mum used to ay don't pick bBlackberries after it has been raining, it must be the same for Raspberries. Mind you, we haven't had any rain unless ithas been through the night!

[cacran]

Is it right that I should cut the raspberry stems off belowground level as Busby says?? When should I do it as the plant is still fruiting well?

[Slug_killer]

Any stem that has fruited should be cut down to the ground in Jan/Feb, after its finished fruiting.
It dont matter if the label says 'Summer fruiting' or 'Autumn fruiting', if its fruited - chop it.

[digmyplot]

Hi

I think it is probably the raspberry fruitworm. If you look at each one as you pick them you can see the little blighters and just throw the fruit away. There are not many affected in my experience so it is just a minor irritant. It is always worth immersing everything from the allotment as the residues in the water reveal, but salting I save for salad leaves which will be salted anyway.

cheers www.digmyplot.co.uk