apple tree pests

[sammyj1]

We just purchased a home that has three or four apple trees on it. Last
year all the apples from all the trees had worms in them. How can I get
rid of them?

 

[Darin]

The adult apple maggot is a fly, slightly smaller than a house fly, that lays tiny yellow eggs on developing fruit. The eggs hatch into white - to - yellow larvae, that are a typical maggot with a narrow, pointed front- end and a blunt, broad- rear end. Full grown larvae are only 1/4 to 3/8 inch long.


Non-chemical: None. If you have only 1-2 trees and no other host trees are within 300 ft, removing apple maggot infested fruit that has fallen to the ground may help reduce next years' population. Red spheres covered with sticky material placed around the outside of the tree may help reduce apple maggot damage.

Chemical: Sprays to control apple maggot should be applied through July and August.