Solutions for Worms in Apples

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All but one of our apple trees are 6 years old or younger, so we don’t typically have a bumper crop. This year looks different. Because the blossoms were not killed by a late season frost—for the first time since we started planting the trees—I have hope of a decent crop, despite the worms.

Worms in Apples

Last year, when I picked a few of the apples, our youngest son wanted to know why there were worms in the apples. I told him it was because I didn’t like chemicals on our apples. His reply, “Well, I don’t like worms in the apples.” So this year I decided to try something new. I ordered the granulosis virus, and I’m going to try to stay on top of it to reduce (if not eliminate) the numbers of wormy apples.

One of the biggest reasons I didn’t want to use stronger pesticides, even the organic Bt, is because they not only kill the codling moth larvae (the proverbial worm in the apple), they harm all pollinators and beneficial insects. I really want our place to be a haven for the good bugs, so I’m very careful about what I use.

The one option left is the granulosis virus. While spraying a “virus” sounds scary, it specifically targets the codling moth larvae. When the larvae eats even a tiny bit, it infects the gut of the larvae and spreads throughout the body. It doesn’t harm non-targeted insects, nor birds, fish, or other wildlife. The other nice thing is you can spray it up until the day of harvest.

Cyd-X

I found the product Cyd-X online, and while I was a little shocked at the price (over $50 for 1.5 oz.), the reality is you don’t use very much. The mix ratio is 1 teaspoon of the liquid to 5 gallons of water. Sometimes people mix molasses with the water to make it more enticing to the codling moths, but the general goal is to saturate the leaves.

The best time to start spraying is before the codling moth eggs hatch, and some people just target that first generation, while others spray throughout the season to stay on top of them. That’s what I’m doing. The granulosis virus breaks down in the sunlight, so it’s important to keep fresh applications on the tree. I will spray every week, practically until it’s time to harvest. It gives a greater chance of success. We’ll see if we have wormless apples this fall.

Infected Fireside Tree

Unfortunately, the bad news for my apples is the Fireside tree, which is my absolute favorite apple. It’s infected with something. I’m still trying to pinpoint what’s going on with it. The leaves are wilting and have brown on them.

My fear is fire blight. Fireside trees are susceptible to fire blight, as well as apple scab, so I’m not certain whether it’s the bacterial or fungal infection. If it’s the former, I might have to remove the tree. If I lean more towards a fungal infection, such as apple scab, I will apply a fungicide.

My plan is to examine it closely today and make a decision on which direction to go. I certainly don’t want to risk my other trees, particularly the Red Regent and Haralred that is part of the Triple Play tree with the Fireside. (It’s made up of 3 trees grown together, not grafted onto one that is a way to have 3 pollinators in a small space.) I will keep you posted on what happens.

Growing up in Ohio, I do miss a good apple harvest. It’s hard to grow apples out here, and our choices are more limited, but hopefully with a little care, particularly knocking back those darling codling moths, we can enjoy a bountiful harvest for years.

Meet Amy Grisak

Amy is a freelance author and photographer in Great Falls, MT who specializes in gardening, foods, and sustainable agriculture. She provides information on every kind…

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