Raspberry eating bees - Ask Extension
Hello, Last summer, we had small yellow bees on our raspberry patch. First time ever. They ate the tips off almost all of the raspberries, leaving us ...
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Raspberry eating bees #926266
Asked March 18, 2026, 8:04 PM EDT
Hello, Last summer, we had small yellow bees on our raspberry patch. First time ever. They ate the tips off almost all of the raspberries, leaving us with very little edible harvest. Can you identify what these small yellow bees are and help me know what to do to stave them off this coming summer?
Midland County Michigan
Expert Response
In late summer, yellow jackets will sometimes eat raspberry fruits in search of any food item available. I would say this is more of a fluke than a pattern to be worried about. If the fruits are already ripe when the wasps arrive, there isn't any type of insecticide treatment that would align with a safe harvest. Keep an eye on yellow jacket nests that might be in the vicinity in spring or summer and treat these or place yellow jacket traps if they become too large. Harvest berries regularly to avoid the wasps taking advantage of near ripe of overripe fruits.
Bees would not normally feed on the fruits. If you have a photo to share, feel free to include one in a reply.
Bees would not normally feed on the fruits. If you have a photo to share, feel free to include one in a reply.
Thank you so much.
Sent from my iPhone
Another question, what is the best way to care for strawberry plants? I lost several of my plants last year, but I am not certain how that was. No bugs in those berries. The runners and lots of leaves died, leaving me with a few berries. I have them covered with straw overwintering this year. Please share suggestions for the next phase, spring time Care.
Thank you!
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On Mar 19, 2026, at 12:43 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
Were the berries covered before November? If the plants were covered too late or with too little straw (4 - 6 inches is ideal), that could lead to temperatures too cold for the crowns to survive.
Poor drainage can also lead to unexpected decline.
For more information on strawberries and step by step maintenance annually : https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-strawberries-home-garden
Poor drainage can also lead to unexpected decline.
For more information on strawberries and step by step maintenance annually : https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-strawberries-home-garden
