Have we been eating tiny bugs this whole time?
Does Soaking Strawberries in Salt Water Really Draw Out Bugs?
Updated Jun. 09, 2023
Fruits and veggies go on quite the adventure once they’re harvested, and even if they’re washed at the source, there are plenty of opportunities for them to pick up dirt or other undesirable particles along the way. Even certain types of produce, like the “dirty dozen”, are more likely to contain pesticide residue. So it’s safe to say, it’s never a bad idea to wash your produce.
Now we’re seeing a TikTok trend showing people how to get bugs out of strawberries when washing them. Specifically, this produce hack uses soaking strawberries in salt water to get those little critters out. But does it make a difference to between plain water and salt water? Here’s what we discovered!
Why You Should Put Strawberries in Salt Water
According to the #strawberrieswithbugs challenge, submerging strawberries in salt water will cause strawberry bugs to crawl out. The type of bug varies— some TikToks show tiny white worms, while others reveal tiny fruit flies, spiders and mites.
@zenosjake People are finding bugs in their strawberries, do you see any? #strawberrieswithbugs ♬ original sound – Zenos Jake
Does Soaking Strawberries in Salt Water Work?
To get to the bottom of things, I put some strawberries in salt water myself. I tested strawberries from 3 different farms (one major, and two more local) by soaking them in both plain and salt water. First, I filled 3 bowls with tap water, gently added the strawberries and let them sit. Meanwhile, I added water and 2 tablespoons of salt to three more bowls and let the salt dissolve before adding the strawberries. Here are a few more tips for cleaning the strawberries.
Soaking Strawberries in Plain Water
I didn’t expect much from the strawberries in unsalted water. My initial results revealed no bugs, but about 20 minutes later, I noticed a small spider crawling on one of the strawberries.
Soaking Strawberries in Salt Water
The salt water revealed bugs much more quickly. I found dead little fruit flies in the water, and any bugs that were still alive were clinging to the fruit for dear life. The most disturbing part of my experiment is when I saw a bug crawling around the moment I put a strawberry in the salt water. Out of the three brands I tested, two revealed strawberry bugs when submerged in salt water.
The Bottom Line
Wash your strawberries! Exactly half of the bowls I tested ended up with bugs in them. While both salt and tap water seem effective, the salt water definitely got the bugs out more quickly.
One interesting thing that I noticed was that the bugs preferred to hide in the leafy part, so you could bypass some bugs by chopping the tops off before washing your strawberries.
For more berry wisdom, read up on how to store strawberries and take a look at these berry mistakes people make when storing, cleaning and even eating strawberries.
Recipes to Make with Fresh, Clean Strawberries
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Best Strawberry Shortcake
For a dazzling summer dessert, you can’t beat juicy strawberries and fresh whipped cream over homemade shortcake. My father added even more indulgence to this recipe by buttering the shortcake. This is at the top of my list of favorite recipes with fresh strawberries. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan
Strawberry TartA simple tart is one of the best recipes with fresh strawberries I know. What makes it special: There's a crunchy chocolate layer tucked next to the crust. Try making individual tartlets instead of one big dessert. —Dawn Tringali, Hamilton Square, New Jersey
Strawberry Lemon TrifleThis refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think it took ages to make. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington
P.S. Have you ever seen strawberry sprouts?
Frozen Strawberry DaiquirisBlend this refreshing frozen strawberry daiquiri to serve on a hot summer day. It's one of the best recipes with fresh strawberries served in a glass! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with ChickenThis salad is hard to beat when it comes to color, flavor and nutrition! It makes for a wonderful side on a summer day. —Diane Marie Sahley, Lakewood, Ohio
Croissant Breakfast CasseroleTurning croissants and marmalade into a classic overnight croissant breakfast casserole makes a wonderful treat for family and guests around the breakfast table. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Strawberry SmoothieMy mother gave me this strawberry smoothie recipe, and it tastes fabulous. I fix it for breakfast or sometimes as a bedtime snack. —Linda Barker, Mohawk, Michigan
Strawberry CheesecakeThe creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas
Homemade Strawberry Ice CreamThis creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
Strawberry Panzanella SaladAlways a crowd-pleaser, this strawberry panzanella salad never disappoints. This version is sweet and offers the opportunity to use seasonal fruits in a creative way. For a fun twist, use margarita glasses when serving and rim the glasses with sugar and a strawberry garnish. —Careema Bell, Trenton, New Jersey
Roasted Strawberry Sheet CakeMy Grandma Gigi loved summer berry cakes. Almost any time I’d call her during the warmer months, she’d invite me over to taste her latest masterpiece. This cake is a tribute to her. —Kristin Bowers, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Swift Strawberry SaladA simple blend of syrup, orange juice and caramel topping forms the light dressing for the fresh berries and the crunchy cashews found in this sensational salad. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Fresas con CremaThis refreshing fresas con crema recipe is wonderful when berries are in season. Media crema is a rich, unsweetened cream found in the baking aisle or ethnic food section of the grocery store. It's similar to creme fraiche and sour cream, although sour cream is a bit tangier. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate-Dipped StrawberriesWe are all about chocolate! Follow our simple guide to make decadent chocolate-covered strawberries at home.
Berry Smoothie BowlI've always loved smoothies but sometimes I want to linger over breakfast instead of sipping it on the go. That's when I make this Jamba-inspired smoothie bowl. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
Strawberry Ladyfinger Icebox CakeThis cake is inventive and yet familiar. Be sure to use a springform pan so you can easily remove it from the cake. If it breaks while you're transferring it to the serving plate, just push the pieces back together, pressing gently. —Stella Ohanian, Porter Ranch, California
Chocolate-Topped Strawberry CheesecakeCreamy and airy, this gorgeous dessert is the perfect special something for a summer dinner party. I love the mix of smooth strawberry cheesecake and crumbly chocolate crust—and how elegant it looks on the table. —Kathy Berger, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
Berried Treasure Angel Food CakeMy husband grills anything and everything—even dessert! With his gentle nudging, I came up with this simple recipe that takes just a few minutes to prepare, yet always impresses dinner guests. —Anita Archibald, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Strawberry Arugula Salad with FetaThe combination of peppery arugula, sweet strawberries and robust feta cheese may sound unusual, but one bite wins over taste buds.—Carala Horne, Meridian, Mississippi
Creamy Strawberry CrepesCreamy strawberry crepes are stuffed with a citrusy, fruity cream cheese filling and garnished with fresh berries. It's enough to make you say "ooh-la-la!"
Strawberry Cheesecake BitesThese treats are a perfect mouthful of strawberry, sweet cream cheese filling and just a drizzle of chocolate. Easy to fill
and fix ahead, they add tempting variety to brunch or party offerings—and make a delicious homemade gift. —Linda Baldt, Croydon, Pennsylvania
Strawberry Pretzel PieThis cool no-bake strawberry pie is the perfect cure for your sweet tooth, especially in summer. Made with pantry staples, it is as easy as pie to make and has become one of my most requested warm-weather treats. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
Almond Strawberry SaladIt's easy to love this pretty salad topped with strawberries and sliced almonds. With just a few ingredients, it's loaded with flavor. —Renae Rossow, Union, Kentucky 
Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole TrifleAfter my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Upside-Down Strawberry ShortcakeFor a tasty twist, this special shortcake has a berry layer on the bottom. The tempting strawberry upside-down cake is a sweet that our family has savored for years. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri 
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice CreamStrawberry cheesecake ice cream is the perfect summer treat. Pureed strawberries, cream cheese, two types of cream, and graham cracker crumbs give this recipe its fresh flavor and rich texture.
Easy Fresh Strawberry PieFor my mother's birthday, I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
Strawberry BreadMy husband and I are strawberry lovers, so each spring we pick about 30 quarts. This strawberry bread recipe makes two delicious loaves. One we eat right away; the other we freeze and pull out when family comes to visit.
Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed DressingMy family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Fruit TartIt's well worth the effort to whip up this creamy fruit tart bursting with juicy berries. A friend gave me the recipe, and it always receives rave reviews at gatherings. —Susan Terzakis, Andover, Massachusetts 
Strawberry Rhubarb Dump CakeIt always seems like my rhubarb goes bad in a hurry, so I was looking for a simple way to combine two of my favorite flavors in an incredibly easy dessert. I added extra spices to enhance the flavor of this strawberry-rhubarb dump cake for a sweet treat my whole family loved! —Jessica Bridge, Grand Junction, Colorado
Fritters with Lemon Mousse and StrawberriesDeep-fried fritters are wonderful on their own, but they become over-the-top amazing with a creamy lemon mousse and sweet strawberries. Raspberries and blueberries yield equally good results. —Shannon Bell, Woodstock, Georgia
Strawberry SconesStrawberries and cream are a natural pairing, and this strawberry scone recipe packs plenty of both. Enjoy them warm and fresh, while the local strawberries are in season!
Fruit and Cheese KabobsWe came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It's easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Strawberry-Rhubarb MuffinsStrawberry-rhubarb muffins might just be our favorite baked treat to celebrate the sweet-tart flavors of the late spring and summer harvest.
Kale Slaw Spring SaladMy parents and in-laws are retired and like to spend winters in Florida. This tangy spring salad welcomes the snowbirds back for our Easter celebration! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Strawberry Rhubarb CreamA friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this often in early summer when rhubarb is readily available. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island
Strawberry Cream Cheese PieA rich layer of sweetened cream cheese under a glazed strawberry topping makes this strawberry cream cheese pie a standout on any dessert table.
Rainbow Fruit SaladWhen my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana
Strawberry Tarragon Chicken SaladAfter thinking about creating this salad for some time, one spring I used my homegrown strawberries and fresh tarragon to do a little experimenting. It didn't take me very long to come up with a winner! My husband enjoyed my creation as much as I did, and now we can't wait for strawberry season to come around each year. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Coconut Milk Strawberry-Banana PopsThese four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You'll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet ShortcakeThis scratch-made strawberry buttermilk cake is a family favorite. The recipe is over 100 years old, and I remember my grandma making it. We still carry on the family tradition by making this old-fashioned recipe each summer. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida
Strawberry-Thyme JamI created this recipe using two ingredients that I love: strawberry and thyme. This recipe is ideal slathered on homemade farm biscuits.—Sharon Demers, Dolores, Colorado
Strawberry and Peach Lime Custard BarsAfter I baked, my dad would always find his way to the kitchen and ask if he could try what I made. I enjoyed asking him to taste test different creations, like these bars. He was always ready with a compliment. Other fruits can be arranged over the custard, depending on what's in season. —Carlin Tou, Chandler, Arizona
Mixed Berry PieOur berry pie is the best way to use up those beautiful summer berries. Colorful, juicy berries are tucked into a homemade all-butter pie crust that dares not get a soggy bottom and stays perfectly flaky all the way through.
Cheesecake-Stuffed StrawberriesThese luscious cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
Meringue CupsThese crunchy meringue shells with a lemon curd filling will make guests stop to "ooh" and "ahh" at your dessert table. Topped with fresh fruit, they're especially pretty when served with a spring meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 
Originally Published: May 27, 2022
