Misshapen pears - Ask Extension
Any idea why virtually all of my pears have this odd look about them? It’s never been this extensive in the past.
Knowledgebase
Misshapen pears #811588
Asked September 20, 2022, 4:33 PM EDT
Any idea why virtually all of my pears have this odd look about them? It’s never been this extensive in the past.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. I suspect that, if you cut into your pears, you will find larvae that resemble worms, that are the young of the codling moth, described here: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/QT/codlingmothcard.html
As the article says, you should clean up the fruit and destroy it to reduce next year's infestation. You can bag the fruit to keep the moth from laying eggs on the fruit. If you need to use insecticides, there is a list of them in this OSU publication: https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/pear/pear-codling-moth The ones marked "H" are available to homeowners. Know that they have to be applied exactly on the schedule listed, or they will do no good. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
As the article says, you should clean up the fruit and destroy it to reduce next year's infestation. You can bag the fruit to keep the moth from laying eggs on the fruit. If you need to use insecticides, there is a list of them in this OSU publication: https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/pear/pear-codling-moth The ones marked "H" are available to homeowners. Know that they have to be applied exactly on the schedule listed, or they will do no good. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
