what is eating my strawberries?

something is taking bites out of my strawberries , they wont bother the berry till it is almost red enough to pick then it takes bites out of them . it is not an insect , but I dont know what it is , I see robins around them alot I know it not rabbits , (the coyotes have just about wiped them out here) . any one have a clue to what mite be eating them?

If it isn't the bunnies, my guess would be the birds.

slugs

I'd guess slugs as well--still have memories of the horrible slug problems we always had in the strawberry patch that my parents had when I was a kid. They were definitely the #1 pest we had trouble with.

i know slugs just love strawberries. i hated growing them in the ground. then they come up with hangin baskets for them. YEA no slugs. but they are a big pest in strawberry fields. i would say thats your problem.

they come out at night always put rock around mine as slugs dont like sharp surfaces cuts and kills them. also heard beer in cups is good. we have always had cats so never did that. all i need a drunk cat. hehe

I dont want to use a chemical to kill the slugs would putting straw down help? also is there a natural way to kill them I have a black lab that is already loppy ,like Imzadi and the cat, I dont need a buzzed dog around my garden.

Look for slug products made with iron phosphate--that is a safe ingredient to use around pets (metaldehyde is the bad one that you want to avoid). The active ingredient always has to be listed on the front label of the products so it should be easy to check when you're at the store.

Birds like to taste each and every berry and will wait until they're ripe. Chippies and Squirrels tend to snatch and run.

rocks or have heard sand too.

down torward the bottom have some natural ideas http://www.thegardenhelper.com/slugs.html

Use coffee grounds as mulch. Slugs don't like caffeine. I've read that it repels them and also can kill them if they get a good dose. plus the grounds are a good source of nitrogen and of course, provide organic material for the soil. Starbucks gives them away on a first-come, first-served basis. Or ask a clerk at your favorite convenience store.
Best part : it's free!

Thanks for the info Iwill try rocks and coffee grounds I do suspect birds are having a go at them too does bird netting work?

Bird netting or a really big black rubber snake. Of course that'll scare the robins but the jays will probably attack it!

Online I read that broken/crushed eggshells around plants will work too, and provide calcium and alkaline as they break down. Thanks for this thread-- was just wondering what was getting to my strawberries too. Ours are under bird netting, but still have these slashes in the berries!

Madgrace, that is what my berries have just slashes in them. I did buy netting so I hope that helps if not I am looking for a rubber snake next.

I heard that ants also eat strawberries. Can anyone confirm this?

I use diatomaceous earth food grade. It does a nice job killing slugs for me.

http://www.stgabrielorganics.com/