I am in Scio Oregon and have some fruit trees. I want to learn how to control the worms in the apples. Most of the trees are old huge apple trees.
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Knowledgebase
Fruit trees #858154
Asked January 30, 2024, 6:47 PM EST
I am in Scio Oregon and have some fruit trees. I want to learn how to control the worms in the apples. Most of the trees are old huge apple trees.
Do you have information on all the suggested treatments for plums, apples, and pears in this area?
Linn CountyOregon
Expert Response
Hi Christina, Fruit tree worms are always a concern around this area. There are several things you can do.
First though you are probably dealing with Codling Moth and Apple Maggot worms. Both of these worms enter the apple. There are pear psylla that damage pears and the drosophila fruit fly that lays eggs and larva form in soft fruits like cherries and plums. I am not naming all of the insects that can cause problems, just a few.
For the old apples that are huge, it is suggested that they be pruned both to bring down the height of the trees and open the center for good airflow. This helps to prevent fungal growth on all the trees. When pruning use alcohol wipes on your pruners to prevent disease from going from one tree to the next. A bucket with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide is a good idea and two pruners (one to soak) while using the other is also a good idea. Prune out diseased, broken branches or limbs crossing others (growing towards the center of the tree.)
Thin the fruit this spring. This also increases air circulation and helps to prevent limbs from breaking when too much fruit becomes too heavy. A six inch separation for apples on the limbs is suggested.
Next is sanitation. If you have fruit left on the trees or fruit that has dropped to the ground, clean it up. Throw it away. Often insects overwinter in dead or rotting fruit.
For both codling moths and apple maggots, they sell pheromones which attract the males. They usually have a sticky substance and that catches them. You can use these to discover how many pests may be in your orchard as well as an organic way to rid your trees of some of the males.
There are probably hundreds of pesticides available for spraying. However, insecticidal soaps and oil sprays work when used according to directions.
Biological control can help control the pests. The less sprays you use and the more predators you have, helps reduce the damage to your fruit. There are businesses online that will mail insect predators for your specific pest. It is also a good way to learn about pests/predators in our area. Put in biological control. That should give you businesses online.
Another method, and this is why it is recommended that you bring your trees down to a lower height, is bagging your newly formed apples with mesh bags in the spring. It is like a sock or thick hosiery that you put around your apples when they first appear. The mesh expands as the apple grows. It usually keeps out codling moth, apple maggots, stink bugs and if you make sure the mesh is twisted tightly at the stem, earwigs. This takes some time but well worth it if you are inundated with worms and insect damage. And it will reduce the number of pests next year.
Another organic application that will help is kaolin clay spray. It is a liquid clay mixture sprayed on any and all fruits that keeps the pests from penetrating the fruit.
An easy way to catch fruit flies is with plastic cups. I am linking a video from Oregon State on how to make these. You do not have to use a huge cup, but the holes have to be big enough for the flies to enter. Use a piece of fruit in the cup as well. Hang on tree limbs with fishing line. You have asked a lot of questions. I hope I have given some solutions. Please contact us again if you have more questions. And look for the free garden classes that Extension associations are giving this spring.
