How to Prevent Insects on Apple Trees

Some apple trees are disease-resistant, and can require less pesticides.

An apple tree can be an excellent addition to a fruit and vegetable garden. Apple trees can produce fruit beginning in late spring and continue throughout the summer. In addition to pruning and training an apple tree, owners should be sure to prevent pests. If left untreated, apple trees can attract a variety of insects that will eat the fruit and harm the tree.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning tools
• Phosmet insecticide
• Superior oil 2 percent solution
• Red sticky spheres

Instructions

1. Cut out all dead wood from the tree and remove dead fruit from on or around the tree. Clear leaves and other debris from the tree, as these elements can attract pests.

2. Disinfect your pruning tools with a solution that is 90 percent water and 10 percent bleach or other household cleaner, such as Lysol. Keeping your tools clean will reduce the risk of disease and dead wood in your tree, which will in turn reduce the risk of insects.

3. Treat your apple tree with a superior oil 2 percent solution in late April, before flower buds have begun to bloom. The solution will suffocate scale insects and prevent pests that include European red mite eggs and aphid eggs.

4. Apply a phosmet insecticide during petal fall, when about 90 percent of the blooms' petals have fallen to the ground. Reapply the treatment approximately 10 to 14 days later. Phosmet will prevent pests that include codling moth, green fruit worm and apple sawfly.

5. Use red sticky spheres, designed as an apple tree pesticide, starting in late June. The spheres serve as insect traps aimed at reducing apple maggot flies. Set one trap for every 150 apples. Red sticky spheres should be applied to the canopy of the tree, about four to six feet high. The spheres can also be supplemented with a phosmet spray every few weeks if apple maggot flies persist.

Tips & Warnings

• Insecticides are toxic. Be mindful of washing your hands after use and limit the exposure of children and pets to trees immediately following treatment.

References

• North Carolina State University: Growing Apple Trees in the Home Garden
• University of Rhode Island: Home Tree and Small Fruit Pest Management Guide