Guava is a delicious fruit that is on the top level of fruit lovers’ list. Also, this popular fruit is cultivated in most tropical and subtropical regions.
The guava fruit’s green or yellow color skin gives a pack of nutrients for your betterment. But any good things have some little issues. Today I discuss that kind of small issue related to guava fruit. It is all about worms in guavas. Let’s check why guava fruits have worms? And can’t we eat guava because of worms? Never ever!
Why Do Guava Have Worms?
Once you pluck guava fruit from your tree in the garden, you will try to eat. But you find worms in guava. So, how do you feel? But it is a very common incident that finding worms in guava. But why?
Mainly the worms in the guava are fruit fly larvae or maggots. The main reason to have worms in guava fruit is the insect pests like Drosophila melanogaster or the common fruit flies. They lay eggs on the skin of guava fruits, stems, leaves, and roots.
Most probably, fruit flies produced eggs on guava fruits before they ripened. Over time, when guava fruits ripe, eggs also hatch. Then larvae tend to eat ripe fruits to sustain themselves. As a result of this, worms or maggots (larva of pests) have the ability to damage both guava fruit and tree. This is a kind of disaster for guava farmers.
Common Worms Types In Guava
When we are deeply concerned about the common types of worms in guava, there are two types of worms commonly found in guava fruits. They are;
- Nematodes
- Insect maggots
Maggots are a type of young growing insect, and they survive by consuming both guava fruits and other parts of the guava tree. However, maggots are the ones that can seriously damage your guava fruits and tree.
Guava fruit is one of the most popular fruits due to its juicy flesh and aroma. So, these worms, including maggots, suck juicy flesh from guava fruits.
This worm is born on the guava fruits, and they gradually pierce the skin of guava fruit. Then they consume the rich pulp of ripe guava.
You can easily identify the guava fruits that became a victim of the worms. The affected guava frit surfaces will turn into a rust-like color. You can find out this rusty color as tiny spots on guava skin.
Also, large-scale guava farmers identified another worm in 2006. It is known as stem borer. Worm borer is a huge disaster for guava cultivation because when this worm is established well, they can seriously affect even the large guava cultivation.
Let’s see how they destroy your guava tree. The worm borer larva has the ability to bore the stem of your guava tree. Then they consume the excreta accumulated at the base of the stem of the guava tree by using fiber operculum.
So, the worm borer damages the stem of the guava tree badly. And it causes to reduce or loss the productivity of the agricultural unit. Eventually, it can kill your guava tree gradually.
How Do You Get Rid Of Or Control Worms In Guava?
Fruit flies lay eggs, and then this larva, over time, becomes mature. Then, after about 38 days, female flies have the ability to lay eggs.
If you unless taking action to control these fruit flies, this cycle continues endlessly. So, you should have managed them to protect your guava fruits and trees.
But do not worry, every problem comes up with solutions. The only thing is, you should need to know the right solution.
You can follow the below-listed techniques to protect your guava harvest from worms or fruit fly larva.
Technique To Protect Your Guava Harvest From Worms
1. Plant worm resistant guava varieties
2. Use fumigants
3. Add a good nematocide
4. Apply good insecticide is also a better solution
5. Maintain good agricultural practices
Under this, the most important thing is timely pruning your guava trees. This allows exposure to your guava trees to sunlight and fresh air.
This practice will avoid that the guava tree is touching walls, buildings, and especially the ground. Also, pruning prevents the access of aphids, ants, and other insect pests to your guava tree.
Consequently, It will help to control the impact of maggot significantly on the guava tree and fruits. Also, do not forget to fertilize your guava trees.
6. Harvest the guava fruits before they are fully ripe
When guava gets matured, the scent or order of this fruit becomes more pronounced. So, this will attract fruit flies into tour guava tree, and automatically fruit flies find homes for their eggs.
So, most probably, they attack mature guava fruits. Therefore, it is better to pick guava fruits before they are fully ripe. If you have large guava cultivation, you can harvest several times per week.
7. It is better to burn guava fruits and trees that are seriously attacked by worms
If you find out guava trees that are totally damaged by worms, it is better to destroy them because you can save other trees through this sacrifice.
8. Always keep your eye on dropped guavas under the tree
Remove debris from the ground as soon as possible because they attract pests.
9. to wrap the young guavas with paper bags
The Pakistani-based agricultural research organization is recommended to wrap the young guavas with paper bags, and it will help to prevent worms.
10. Pay close attention to your tree.
However, finally, if you want to protect your guava tree, you should pay close attention to your tree. Always ensure that there are no bad changes on the leaves, fruits, and stems of the guava tree.
However, if you will find out any change like rusty spots on the surface of guava fruits or leaves, immediately remove them and spray insecticides, nematocides, and fumigants.
What Happens If You Eat Guava Fruit With Worms, Or Is It Ok To Eat Guava With Worms?
There is a possibility to eat guava with worms or fruit fly larva unknowingly. At this time, what should you do? Is it better to go for treatments? Let see further!
The little white worms, almost transparent, are killed by the stomach pH (high acidity or hydrogen ion). So, it does not require to take treatments from a doctor. This is the conclusion of the many medical experts.
Do you believe it? It enhances the protein level that guava fruit already has.
But we cannot totally exclude this because there is a risk for someone to get an allergy because of the bad sensations.
On the other hand, guava can be contaminated with bacteria and fungi, especially in spots injured by worms. So, it is not recommended to eat guava with worms.
However, if you want to eat that particular guava fruit, it is better to remove the part that was damaged by worms. Always try to add fresh and healthy fruits to your diet. It will enhance both your health and your appetite.
Are Guava Worms Harmful To Humans?
No, worms in guava are not harmful to humans. So, do not be panic when you eat guava with worms accidentally. But do not do it as a habit. Always enjoy your meal with fresh fruits!
