Well...I reinspected the apple trees yesterday and we do have an infestation of small dark bugs that sit on the leaves and fly away when disturbed.  Advice would be appreciated.  I sure hope I did not ruin our crop by missing the March and April sprays.

Leahnette: I am not quite sure what those small black insects are. But insect control on/in fruit is a more complicated question than you might expect.  Eggs aren't laid until the fruit is present. Most of those insects are then sprayed for several times as the fruit is ripening. For apples, the spray cycle starts about the last week in May and continues at about three to four week intervals through early September. That should help with both the codling moth (caterpillar burrows in a large tunnel to the core) and apple maggot that makes tiny tunnels through the flesh. The best homeowner spray are probably ones that contain spinosad as the active ingredient, which is considered organic and is reasonably effective. Trade names include Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew and Monterey Garden Insect Spray. I will call you later on this morning. Chip