How to Protect Apples From Codling Moths

Protect your apple trees to yield a better harvest.

Codling moths are small insects that lay eggs in apples. When the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the apples. The moths can ruin the entire apple harvest. Prevent this by using a pesticide to keep the codling moths from landing on the apples. Make sure the pesticide you choose is safe for apple trees.

Things You'll Need

• Pump sprayer
• Pesticide
• Pheromone traps

Instructions

1. Fill a pump sprayer with a pesticide recommended for apple trees.

2. Spray the pesticide on the apple tree once the tree is in bloom. The codling moth normally lays its eggs three weeks after the tree starts blooming.

3. Respray the pesticide once the initial pesticide has worn off. This will depend on the type of pesticide. Look at the manufacturer's instructions to determine how long it takes the pesticide to wear off. This could be anywhere from five to 14 days.

4. Throw away any apples that fall on the ground over the next three weeks. These will often fall off if they get infested with codling moths. Don't let the apples sit on the grass, as this will only propagate more moths.

5. Respray the tree a month after the fruit has appeared.

6. Hang pheromone traps around the apple tree to catch the codling moths.

References

• Utah State University Extension; Codling Moths Create New Protein-enriched, Aerated Apples; Dennis Hinkamp
• Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides; Codling Moths; C. Cox; 2005