A final November watering helps prevent winter kill from drying. Insects and Disease Strawberries are remarkably free from most Insects and diseases in Colorado. Occasionally, an insect problem arises, such as crownborers, leafhoppers, aphids, earwigs, slugs or tarnished plant bugs. Malathion is a good standard home insecticide to control aphids, leafhoppers and quite a few other sucking and chewing Insects. Use Sevin to control earwigs and beetles.
Control crownborers with a soil-applied insecticide.
Control slugs with commercially prepared baits available at most Garden centers. Disease problems occur less frequently than insect problems. Usually, the disease is controlled by removing the diseased plant or plant part. However, if it is widespread, other measures must be taken. However, if a fungus develops on the foliage, spray the plants with a fungicide, such as Captan.