Do Store-Bought Strawberries Really Have Bugs in Them?

Fresh fruits and veggies are a tasty part of a well-balanced diet, but one produce pitfall has consumers seriously grossed out: bugs. A viral TikTok video highlighted this issue in a batch of fresh strawberries. As the user soaked their berries in salt water, a horrifying scene occurred: tiny bugs crawled out of them! Fortunately (or, erm, unfortunately), this is normal.

Whether you hand-picked them from your garden or bought them prepackaged at the grocery store, your berries are the perfect home for creepy critters, but here’s why that could be a good thing. The presence of bugs means that the farmer didn’t overdo it with harsh chemical fertilizers, and the bugs are also a natural part of a healthy ecosystem. But that doesn’t mean we have to enjoy eating insects. Learn how to banish bugs from your berries while preserving the taste and quality of your food.

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The Terrible Truth: We Eat Bugs All the Time

We eat lots of bugs. According to the University of California Riverside, the average American will consume around two pounds of dead insects and insect parts annually. Even the Food and Drug Administration has allowable insect parts in certain foods. Berries are actually the least of our worries. The most common foods insects hide in include vegetables, rice, beer, pasta, spinach, and broccoli. However, eating them doesn’t harm us, even if it sounds unappetizing. In some parts of the world, such as tropical areas of Asia, bugs are harvested and eaten as a vital source of protein. 

The wormy bugs seen in the viral TikTok video are a type of fly maggot called spotted wing drosophila (SWD) that commonly infests berries. They sometimes go unnoticed because they live on the inside of the fruit. Other bugs often found in strawberries include aphids, armyworms, and mites, to name a few. Rest assured, it won’t harm you if you accidentally ingest any bugs, even if it seems gross. “In fact, if you accidentally consumed some maggots, all you did was get some extra animal protein in your salad or fruit shake,” explains crop entomologist Sriyanka Lahiri, PhD.

Farmers work to reduce bugs and monitor plants by getting rid of rotten fruit and picking ripened fruit on time, but there is only so much they can do. The only surefire way of completely eliminating bugs from berries would be to use excessive amounts of pesticides, “which is neither environmentally friendly nor beneficial for human health,” according to Lahiri. Instead, cleaning berries yourself at home is likely the most effective method to remove pests.

How to Get Rid of Bugs in Produce

If the thought of consuming a worm or some aphids with your berries doesn’t sit well with you, don’t worry. There are safe and effective ways to banish berry bugs in no time.

Method 1: Rinse

This is the easiest and fastest method for cleaning produce. Hopefully, you’re already doing this, but essentially you place your berries in a colander in the sink and wash with cold water. Rub the berries individually with your hands while under running water. This removes debris, dirt, and any bugs on the surface. Pat dry and discard any rotten berries.

Method 2: Submerge

A more effective cleaning method is to fully submerge berries into a bowl of cold water after rinsing them. This might force bugs out of the interior. You can also add the following food-safe cleaning agents to the soak for an extra boost.

Vinegar: Add four parts water, one part white vinegar to your berries and soak for 20 minutes. According to Master Class, this is the most effective cleaning method for strawberries sprayed with pesticides. Rinse the berries in cold water and dry them.

Saltwater: The viral TikTok video that inspired the strawberry bug madness used a saltwater soak. Mix one teaspoon of salt for every cup of warm water and let the berries soak until the water is cold. Rinse in cold water and dry. This is one of the best ways to remove fruit fly larvae.

Baking soda: This pantry staple can also force bugs out of your berries. Add one teaspoon to every four cups of water and soak for at least five minutes. Rinse in cold water and dry.

Tip: Store Berries Like a Pro

After washing your berries, it’s vital to dry them thoroughly if you aren’t eating them right away, or they’ll spoil very quickly. Pat them dry, then use a salad spinner to dry them the rest of the way. Opt for a ventilated berry bowl, such as the OXO Good Grips storage container. The BPA-free plastic container features an elevated colander to promote airflow and a carbon filter to slow spoilage.