Sasha CampbellHave you ever bitten into a juicy guava and found those little worms wriggling?
Talk about a ruined treat. Don’t worry; there are some natural ways to get rid of guava worms so you can enjoy your guavas worm-free.
You’ll be happy to know you don’t need chemical pesticides to outsmart these pesky critters. You can save your harvest from worms in your guava fruit with a few home remedies and basic techniques.
Identification
Guava worms come from the eggs of guava fruit flies [1]. From experience, these worms appear to have a whitish-to-cream color.
The adult female fruit flies lay their eggs in the ripe fruits. Once the eggs hatch, the tiny larvae (maggots) burrow into the fruit’s flesh [2].
As the larvae feed and grow, they create tunnels and holes in the fruit, which causes it to rot. By the time you spot guava worms in your fruit, the damage has already occurred.
What Happens if You Eat Guava with Worms?
If you eat guava fruit containing worms by mistake, don’t panic. While it’s not ideal, the worms themselves are harmless to humans.
To avoid guava worms in the future, choose unblemished fruit. Wash fruits thoroughly before eating and cut into them to check for signs of worms or eggs.
While not appetizing, a few worms in guava are not dangerous, and the fruit is still safe to eat if the worms are removed. But when in doubt, it’s best to discard the fruit. Your health and peace of mind are worth it!
How to Get Rid of Guava Worms Naturally
The best way to prevent worms in guava fruit is to control guava fruit flies (Caribflies) before they lay eggs. Below are some other home remedies and natural solutions that you can try.
1. Pick Guavas Before They Ripen Completely
One of the best ways to avoid guava worm infestations is to pick guavas before they’re fully ripe.
Guavas left on the tree to fully ripen are more prone to guava worm damage. Harvesting guavas while still firm and hard prevents the caribfly from laying eggs under the skin.
The unripe guavas will continue to ripen after picking, but the fruit will develop free of fruit fly infestation since the eggs were never laid.
2. Prune Trees
Pruning removes dead or damaged branches and improves air and light flow in the canopy.
Therefore, to reduce guava tree problems, pests and diseased plants must be removed. Improve airflow and let more sunlight reach the inner canopy.
3. Clean Up Infected Fallen Fruits
One of the easiest ways to control guava worms is to regularly check under guava trees for fallen, infected fruit and clear it away. As the fruit fly maggots emerge from eggs, they burrow into the fruit.
Ripe fruits typically fall off the tree when the wind blows or at the slightest disturbance. Therefore, collect all the fallen fruits around the base of the tree.
Next, seal the collected fruit in plastic bags and throw them in the trash. Removing access to fallen fruit will reduce future guava worm populations.
4. Fruit Bagging
Fruit bagging involves covering the fruit with bags. This technique prevents pests from attacking each fruit.
Cover the developing fruit using mesh bags that still allow light and airflow. Secure the bags over the fruit so there are no entry points for the flies to lay eggs.
Fruit bagging requires more labor, but it is a natural pest control method that organic farmers and gardeners have succeeded in.
5. Soapy Water
Soapy water is an easy home remedy for guava fruit flies.
Mix a few drops of liquid dish soap into a spray bottle filled with water. Gently shake or swirl to combine.
Next, spray the soapy water directly onto the leaves, focusing on areas where you see the flies.
You can also make a homemade trap by mixing apple cider vinegar with dish soap. This trap will entice the fruit flies, who drown when the soap traps them.
6. Basil and Tea Tree Oil Spray
Mix basil and tea tree essential oils to make a natural spray for guava worms.
Ingredients:
- 20 drops of basil essential oil
- 20 drops of tea tree essential oil
- One quart of water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to mix. Spray your guava tree.
The strong fragrance of basil and tea tree oil naturally deters guava pests and other common garden pests.
This DIY essential oil spray is also non-toxic and safe for spraying directly on edible plants and fruits.
7. Tobacco Spray
Another homemade treatment is to spray a tobacco solution on the guava tree and young fruits. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is used as an insecticide and repellent [3].
To make a DIY tobacco spray, soak one cup of tobacco in one gallon of water for 24 hours.
Next, strain and spray this solution on the guava tree and its fruits. The nicotine in the tobacco will kill the insects present.
However, wash fruits thoroughly before eating when harvest time arrives.
8. Arber Bio Insecticide
The Arber Bio Insecticide Spray is a natural pest control spray suitable as a natural pesticide for your guava tree.
It will help eliminate plant pests like fruit flies, codling moths, thrips, and guava moths.
9. Aunt Fannie’s FlyPunch
Aunt Fannie’s FlyPunch is also an all-natural treatment for guava fruit flies. It’s a trap with a unique formula that attracts the flies and then traps and kills them.
Follow the instructions that come with your order on how to use it.
Takeaway
So there you have it: some easy and natural ways to deal with those pesky guava worms and enjoy your fruit without the extra protein.
While the worms themselves won’t hurt you, no one wants surprises in their snacks. Now, you can feel confident biting into a guava, knowing you have taken steps to prevent infestation.
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