Bugs in berries ??

[Farmer_Gyles]

when i went blackberry picking as a kid, i'm sure my mum used to put the berries in a sinkful of water, maybe salty, maybe to kill off / drown critters - but that was 30 or more years ago so the memories are a bit vague

did she really do that? should i do the same???

[Alison]

Somebody mentioned that they used vinegar and water the other day. We never used to bother and it never occured to me until recently that it might be a problem!

[WrexTheDragon]

There is another post about this last week.

I have never seen any worms in wild blackberries, I may just be lucky. I have seen lots of wasps and bluebottles on the fruit.

When I am making jam I am sure that the boil will kill them off.

Salty blackberries on my porriage does not sound good.

[rustylady]

There is another post about this last week.

I have never seen any worms in wild blackberries, I may just be lucky. I have seen lots of wasps and bluebottles on the fruit.

When I am making jam I am sure that the boil will kill them off.

Salty blackberries on my porriage does not sound good.

They're not exactly worms, they're the larvae of raspberry beetle and you don't always see them until the fruit has been left in a bowl overnight. I soak mine in salty water - if you rinse them well the salt won't leave any taste.

[Flummery]

Salty water - and they'll wriggle out - then drown!

[Farmer_Gyles]

found the other thread - and yep, it was salty water!!