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Codling Moth Infestation #834585

Asked June 08, 2023, 2:27 PM EDT

Hello, we just found codling moth stings on our apples and aren’t sure what we can do to salvage the situation or at least prepare for next year. Should all apples with stings be disposed of or do we let them grow and dispose of those with further signs of infestation? Is there anything we can do to save some of this harvest?

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for the question.

The general rule of thumb is to dispose of all apples showing codling moth activity. This would include apples showing just a sting as well as apples having frass around the entry hole. All these infected apples should be removed from healthy ones. This is a crucial step to prevent the spread of the moths and larvae. This would be your best chance of saving at least a portion of your normal harvest

All apples showing signs of infection should be placed in a plastic bag and tied securely. Dispose of them in the trash. Do not compost infected apples. You could also just bury the apples at some distance away from other apple trees. I have heard of gardeners taking these bags of infected apples and freezing them. This will also kill the larvae.

See the following for further information on these and related points:

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7412.html

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/codling-moths - :~:text=Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) feeds,the fruit unsuitable for eating.

https://adoptandshop.org/when-do-codling-moth-larvae-climb-the-tree/

https://pcmg.ucanr.org/files/171600.pdf

https://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/opm/codling-moth/

Sorry to hear about your situation. Thanks for using this forum.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 09, 2023, 11:33 PM EDT

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