Depending on the location, birds can be a problem pest of strawberries. In Maryland mocking birds and robins are often found feeding on early spring ripe fruit. Birds tend to select the ripest fruit and will peck holes but rarely consume the entire berry. A variety of frightening devices offer only limited effectiveness. Recorded distress calls can be purchased and played or gas cannons can be used.
Raccoons are nocturnal animals known to enjoy strawberries from time to time.
Look for raccoon tracks in the soil or on plastic mulch, as well as berries which have been eaten from the tips. Raccoons may also show a preference for sweeter berries as seen at the Castle Hayne Research farm where only the Gaviotta variety was eaten. The easiest control tactic is to exclude raccoons by adding an extra hot wire or two to your deer fence near the ground. To maintain a hot fence it is imperative that the fence be kept clear of grass and weeds. Where legal, hunting and trapping of raccoons will reduce the number and decrease crop damage.