Topic: gooseberry sawfly

[chrispea]

 >:(
How can I stop the little devils getting my goosegogs?
Can I net them tried everything else!

[Palustris]

Almost impossible. I must admit we do not bother. We have wild goosberries in the hedge which are leafless, soon after the fruit has ripened. They regrow and the plant carries on as normal. Fruit is produced most years without any seeming check, other than feezing winds at the wrong time of year.

[Hugh_Jones]

I agree with Eric - it`s virtually impossible.  In the days when we thought it was o.k. to use nasty chemicals I used to spray mine every year, but I stopped bothering years ago.  The bush gets defoliated every year but still keeps on producing gooseberries.

[rdak]

I've read that mulching with newspaper stops them laying eggs beneath the bush and hatching out the next year. Anyone know whether there would be any truth in this? Guess it wouldn't be a guaranteed prevention, but could help?