Knowledgebase

Apple Maggots and worms #769814

Asked August 30, 2021, 11:06 AM EDT

I have 2 apple trees and 10 flowering crabtrees on 2 acres of land. The apple trees close to each other and the flowering crabs are 100 plus feet away from the apple trees. I use to get big beautiful bug free apples without spraying them at all. Then something happened, I havent ate an apple off of my trees in 15 years. I have tried everything from spraying dormat, Pre blossom, after the flower petals fall and the apples as well. I have sprayed every kind of spray out there. I have sprayed the ground, added Nematodes to the soil and of course I use the red balls with the sticky stuff. I have even gone as far as getting chickens, they are supposed to help? Nothing is working! I am about ready to chop these trees down, I am tired of picking up apples and disposing the fallen apples. I dispose the apple 1/2 mile away to assure they will not back contaminiate my trees. I have 1 sweet 16 and 1 honey crisp Thank you in advance.

Chisago County Minnesota

Expert Response

Apples can be challenging to grow. 
Have you had the pest(s) positively identified? Apples have multiple pests and diseases. You need to be sure you are spraying the right product for the pest(s) and - really important - at the right time. Take a look at Pest Management for the Home Orchard. It contains a wealth of information to help with the problems you are having. Note that you have to be willing to be pretty diligent when it comes to treating apples for pests, starting early and following a spray schedule through the summer. But ID the pest first. 

You can also send pictures (link is below) and see if we can help you further. But please review the pest management publication first.

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