Spring Brings Apple Harvest But Watch Out For Pesky Pests

Isn't it lovely to watch flowers blooming, grass growing, and signs of new apples on our apple trees? We aren't the only ones who love the idea of enjoying fresh apples picked right off the tree; The Codling Moth is hoping to beat you to the punch. Here's what you need to know to protect your apples from this moth that wants nothing more than to eat your apples before you even get a chance. Goodbye, apple pie.

The Codling Moth feeds INSIDE your apples, and once they get it your apples, the fruit won't be edible for you and me. The Codling Moth is super tiny, and it lays its eggs on your apples. The larvae then leave small pinpoint 'stings' and tunneling wounds on your apples, usually within 2 to 4 weeks of blooming.

TINY MOTH...BIG PROBLEMS

This leads to bigger problems. They feed on the fruit internally, which decays the fruit and causes it to drop to the ground. That creates problems because a whole second generation of Codling Moth larvae start to appear again later in the summer, around Mid-July and early August, so if you find these markings on your apples, it's time to take action now. Here are a few things you can do to protect those apples that you want to enjoy. The University of Minnesota Extension office has some tips to help you get rid of this problem.

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VISUALLY INSPECT YOUR APPLES NOW

Look for the sting marks and tunneling wounds on the apple. They are so tiny you might not think anything of it, but make no mistake; if your apples have these markings, they are already doomed.

THE 'BAGGING' TECHNIQUE

This might sound a little far-fetched, but I have tried this, and it DOES work.

Master Gardener Joseph Storlien, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the College of St. Benedict says, "Shortly after bloom (often for me I do this on Father’s Day weekend when the family agrees to help me in the garden), we get some cheap plastic sandwich bags and a bunch of twist ties. We go looking for good apples that appear to be undamaged and tie or staple bags near the stem of developing fruit to act as a protective barrier. For the plastic bags, we also poke a couple of small holes near the ends of the bag to let any trapped water escape."

Joe says that it is also important to keep the fruit that falls off your tree picked up. The fallen apples may contain larvae of the Codling Moth, and if you leave those apples on the ground, the Codling Moth can complete its life cycle and start growing an even bigger population for next year.

PROTECT APPLES BY USING A CROP PROTECTANT

Kaolin clay is an organic crop protectant that is used in orchards to protect their apple crops. The clay leaves a powdery residue on the apples that the larvae have a tough time getting through. Just remember that the kaolin Clay, sometimes sold under brand names like Surround, needs to be reapplied if it rains. You also need to wash the apples before consumption.

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to learn more about the Codling Moth, you can visit the University of Minnesota Extension Website or the University of Wisconsin Extension Website for more detailed information.