Wormy apples - is Conserve (spinosad) the organic solution? - Ask Extension
I have several apple trees on my city lot. My neighber has some too.
Heretofore I have not sprayed by apples and just cut around the worm bits in ...
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Wormy apples - is Conserve (spinosad) the organic solution? #854374
Asked October 30, 2023, 4:08 PM EDT
I have several apple trees on my city lot. My neighber has some too.
Heretofore I have not sprayed by apples and just cut around the worm bits in most of the apples. This is getting a bit tiring.
A friend suggested conserve. Here are my questions:
1. Is conserve (spinosad) homeowner friendly?
2. If I use conserve, what precautions should I take before picking or consuming apples?
3. I have a hose end sprayer and three apple trees. What is the application rate? How much should I mix up for three apple trees?
4. When should it be applied? More than once?
Do I need to talk my neighbor into spraying too as her orchard will continue to be a reservour of insects if I don't or will this control mine sufficiently?
Thanks,
Jim
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi there! Thanks for reaching out to OSU Extension. It sounds like you're ready to take the next step to protect your apples, but you'll need a little more information before proceeding. Unfortunately, it takes more than one application, often many, to control the types of insects you're describing, but there are alternative strategies available.
Pages 1-6 in this publication are a perfect starting point:
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/ec631.pdf
It's so important to identify the worms. They could be immature apple maggots or coddling moths.
Apple maggots:
https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/horticulture/attachments/ec1633.pdf
If you happen to be in Eastern Oregon, this will be a really helpful schedule for you.
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/57986/eastern-oregon-pest-mgmt-schedule-apple-2022.pdf
After browsing these guides, let me know what questions remain. Thank you again for reaching out to OSU Extension.
Kaci Buhl
Pages 1-6 in this publication are a perfect starting point:
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/ec631.pdf
It's so important to identify the worms. They could be immature apple maggots or coddling moths.
Apple maggots:
https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/horticulture/attachments/ec1633.pdf
If you happen to be in Eastern Oregon, this will be a really helpful schedule for you.
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/57986/eastern-oregon-pest-mgmt-schedule-apple-2022.pdf
After browsing these guides, let me know what questions remain. Thank you again for reaching out to OSU Extension.
Kaci Buhl
