What's eating my carrots - Ask Extension
Many of my overwintered carrots got eaten by...something. Some carrots are chewed off at the bottom. Others are hollow, leaving only the skin behind...
Knowledgebase
What's eating my carrots #824243
Asked April 02, 2023, 6:08 PM EDT
Many of my overwintered carrots got eaten by...something. Some carrots are chewed off at the bottom. Others are hollow, leaving only the skin behind. They were planted in a raised bed. What's the likely culprit? Thank you!
Coos County Oregon
Expert Response
You could have a variety of things going on here. Carrot flies could have laid eggs nearby last season and the larvae continued eating throughout the winter (they can overwinter inside the carrot). Excess water in the soil might have caused some rotting. Then, as matter started decaying, slugs, snails, and millipedes might have started working on them. The one photo also might show some rodent damage.
Here is some information on carrot flies - https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/hosts-pests/carrot-carrot-rust-fly. Please note that one of the best ways to fight carrot fly problems is to practice crop rotation.
Here is some information on carrot flies - https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/hosts-pests/carrot-carrot-rust-fly. Please note that one of the best ways to fight carrot fly problems is to practice crop rotation.
