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codling moth suppression #862439
Asked March 25, 2024, 10:44 AM EDT
Todd County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Loren,
You've probably already seen the U of M site on coddling moths. Here it is again:
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/codling-moths
I can't tell if you have an orchard or are growing apples as a hobby. For homeowners who have just a few trees, physically excluding the insects is a good non-chemical solution.
Bagging apples works. I've done it myself. While it's time consuming on the day you bag, nothing else needs to be done until harvest. Bagging is usually done to keep apple maggots away but it works for other apple pests too.
You can use regular baggies. Snip the bottom corners to allow moisture to escape, thin the apples to one per clump, slip the bag over the fruit and press the seal closed. Staple on either side of the fruit stem to ensure the bag doesn't blow off. You do this before pests have time to damage the fruit, when the apples are about half- to three-quarters of an inch in diameter.
See the "how to protect your apples from apple maggot" link here:
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/apple-maggot
The University of Montana has done studies on bagging entire trees. See here:
https://agresearch.montana.edu/warc/research_current/apples/apple_bagging_codling_moth_control.html
Hope this helps! Good luck.