How To Get Rid Of Worms In Blueberries

Getting rid of worms in blueberries starts with understanding what those worms actually are.
 
Those little white worms you sometimes find in blueberries are usually the larvae of spotted wing drosophila or blueberry maggot flies.
 
So when you ask how to get rid of worms in blueberries, the answer is simple: you can remove them safely with a few easy methods.
 
The good news is that those worms aren’t harmful to humans if eaten, but most people still prefer to get rid of worms in blueberries before eating or freezing them.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through the best ways to get rid of worms in blueberries, how to spot them, and how to keep them from coming back.
 

Why You Find Worms in Blueberries

Worms in blueberries don’t mean your berries are rotten or unsafe.
 
They usually mean a fruit fly laid eggs inside the berry while it was still on the bush.
 
When those eggs hatch, small white larvae start feeding on the inside of the blueberry.
 
This is why you often don’t see worms in blueberries until you soak them or bite into one.
 
Thankfully, getting rid of worms in blueberries is much easier than it sounds once you know what you’re dealing with.
 

1. The Spotted Wing Drosophila Larvae

The spotted wing drosophila is the most common culprit behind worms in blueberries.
 
This tiny fruit fly has a serrated egg-laying organ that lets it cut into ripe or ripening blueberries.
 
Once the eggs hatch, the larvae grow inside the berry and that’s what you see when you find worms in blueberries.
 
These larvae are tiny, white, and often hide near the stem end of the fruit.
 

2. The Blueberry Maggot Fly

The blueberry maggot fly is another reason you might find worms in blueberries.
 
This pest lays eggs directly into ripening berries during the growing season.
 
The larvae that hatch are the classic white worms people find in blueberries.
 
Both pests thrive in warm weather, which is why late summer blueberries tend to have more worms.
 

How to Get Rid of Worms in Blueberries

Getting rid of worms in blueberries doesn’t require chemicals or fancy equipment.
 
Here are the most effective methods you can use at home.
 

1. Salt Water Soak

The salt water soak is one of the most popular ways to get rid of worms in blueberries.
 
Mix one cup of salt with about a gallon of cold water in a large bowl.
 
Add your blueberries and let them soak for about 30 minutes.
 
The salt irritates the larvae, so they crawl out of the berries and sink to the bottom of the bowl.
 
After soaking, rinse the blueberries thoroughly under cold running water.
 
This method works fast and is a reliable way of getting rid of worms in blueberries.
 

2. Vinegar Water Soak

A vinegar soak is another simple trick for getting rid of worms in blueberries.
 
Mix one part white vinegar with three parts cold water in a bowl.
 
Let the blueberries soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
 
The vinegar solution encourages the worms in blueberries to leave the fruit.
 
After the soak, rinse the berries well to remove any vinegar taste.
 
This method also helps kill mold spores and bacteria on the surface.
 

3. Plain Cold Water Soak

If you don’t want to use salt or vinegar, plain cold water can still help.
 
Soak the blueberries in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes.
 
Many of the worms in blueberries will float to the top or sink to the bottom.
 
Skim off anything floating and drain the berries.
 
This method is gentler but may not get rid of worms in blueberries as thoroughly as salt water.
 

4. Inspect and Discard Affected Berries

After soaking, look closely at each berry.
 
Any blueberry with soft spots, holes, or leaking juice is likely infested.
 
Toss those out to avoid keeping worms in blueberries around.
 
Firm, unblemished berries are usually fine after a good rinse.
 

How to Prevent Worms in Blueberries

Prevention is the best way to avoid dealing with worms in blueberries in the first place.
 
If you grow your own blueberries, harvest them as soon as they’re ripe.
 
Overripe fruit attracts fruit flies, which is how worms in blueberries start.
 
Refrigerate fresh blueberries soon after picking or buying them.
 
Cold temperatures slow down larval development and keep worms in blueberries from spreading.
 
You can also use fine mesh netting over your blueberry bushes during fruiting season.
 
This keeps the flies from laying eggs, so you won’t have to worry about worms in blueberries later.
 
Washing store-bought blueberries right before eating is always a smart habit too.
 

So, How Do You Get Rid of Worms in Blueberries?

Getting rid of worms in blueberries is easy once you know the right method.
 
A salt water soak, vinegar rinse, or plain cold water bath will remove most worms in blueberries quickly.
 
After soaking, rinse well, discard any damaged berries, and store the rest in the fridge.
 
And if you grow your own, netting and timely harvesting go a long way toward preventing worms in blueberries altogether.
 
Hope this post has helped you learn how to get rid of worms in blueberries safely and easily.