Any advice on how to a remove this and b stop it coming back?
I have been physically removing them and throwing them a long distance.
Where do they pupate? I heard that it was in the soil. Does disturbing the soil help birds find them?
Someone on here suggested rhubarb leaves under the plant so we experimented when they started chomping. We spread leaves under one bush and left the other alone. It worked, no more got eaten but the one with no rhubarb got stripped. We're definitely going to do this next year, as soon as we have enough leaves, they're going under both bushes :)
Quote from: manicscousers on July 31, 2012, 21:11:23
Someone on here suggested rhubarb leaves under the plant so we experimented when they started chomping. We spread leaves under one bush and left the other alone. It worked, no more got eaten but the one with no rhubarb got stripped. We're definitely going to do this next year, as soon as we have enough leaves, they're going under both bushes :)
Thanks I will ask my parents for some (I hate rhubarb).
I did this with both my bushes after reading the advice one A4All - result? The green gooseberry bush has remained untouched, but the red-fruited one has been well and truly attacked - luckily, after I had completed the harvest of both. I suppose I should give it a good spray of something or other, but I don't think I can be bothered now and I certainly can't bend over the bush to remove the little green 'caterpillars' - I'd never be able to straighten up again ::)!
Tricia
If the fruit is gone, maybe the tip someone else put on here (think it was Shirl) - peanuts under the bush - attract birds who will also eat the caterpillars!
My gooseberries got well stripped but the leaves are now growing back. the baby redcurrant bush too, poor thing , but I believe it's a idfferent insect. never had this problem before this year.
rhubarb leaves made no difference and my bushes are now stripped :'(
Beat the bushes to knock the buggers off - you have to repeat it several times - or spray with rhubarb tea.
Mine are all ok at the moment. perhaps the sawfly maggots have come out late . Will get some more rhubarb leaves under mine tomorrow