The adults are seldom seen because they fall to the ground and scurry away when fruit is disturbed. The primary injuries caused by strawberry sap beetles are the cavities eaten by one, or more commonly, by a group of beetles. The beetles also disseminate organisms that cause rots in the fruits and carry these to other fruits as they move about. Any damage to the berries near harvest, such as other insects attacking the fruit or mechanical injury, might stimulate an invasion of sap beetles. Larval damage is much less obvious because it occurs in decomposing fruit, but it is the worm-infested fruit that is of concern to the grower and consumer.
Cultural control is useful in the reduction of sap beetle outbreaks.
Removal of damaged, diseased, and overripe fruits from the patch at regular intervals is known to assist in reducing populations. Problems with sap beetles often arise with the buildup of overripe berries when rain occurs during harvest. Boxes or flats of harvested berries should be removed from the field immediately or covered to keep beetles out. Provide pickers with special containers for unmarketable berries and bury the boxes as soon as possible. Pesticides can be used, but they are not as effective as the cultural control practices.