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Can you eat fruit from a fruit tree that has been sprayed for insects when the fruit is small on th #661684

Asked July 08, 2020, 7:24 PM EDT

Can you eat the fruit from a fruit tree that has been sprayed for insects when the fruit was small before it grew to full size and ripened? I have two paw paw trees with small fruit on them. Something is making square holes in the leaves and ate part of one fruit. What kind of insect spray should I use?My paw paw trees are 7 and 8 years old and this is the first year they have had fruit. We used a small paint brush to cross polinate them. We haven't had any bees or flies around to do it.

Yamhill County Oregon

Expert Response

It is only legal (and safe) to use a pesticide that includes that host plant on it with specific directions for that plant. Sprays for fruit trees often have different instructions for apples, pears, peaches, plums and so on. Among other things, the instructions will differ to ensure pesticide residues are below thresholds at harvest on that particular fruit. If the plant you wish to spray that product on is not included on the label, the product cannot be used. Unfortunately, that is the problem with Paw Paw. It is so rarely cultivated that few product labels would likely include instructions for use of the product on that plant. I searched the WSU Pesticide Information Center Online (PICOL) database for any pesticide registered for home use on Paw Paw and found no products. I would suggest contacting the Home Orchard Society about pest management on these trees as within that group there are likely to be area orchardists that can provide some tips on scouting for specific pests and cultural control methods. Their website address is:
I hope this is helpful but feel free to write with additional questions.

Neil Bell Replied July 09, 2020, 11:58 AM EDT

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