There are a variety of products that can work to protect apple trees from the pests that plague them, specifically the codling moth and the apple maggot fly. Mostly we use protective devices: foot sox, paper sacks, or bee netting. We use these devices because the governing agency for Piper’s orchard would rather not deal with either traditional organic or inorganic sprays.
INDIVIDUALLY PROTECTING APPLES WITH FOOT SOX
Foot sox can be purchased through http://www.ralynshoecare.com and cost about 10 cents a piece as of 2024. They will work in Piper’s orchard against the apple maggot fly if applied in June. Piper’s orchard does not have much of a codling moth problem and the main concern here is the apple maggot fly. A primer is offered below.
http://www.seattletreefruitsociety.com/maggot-barriers
Some use cheap small rubber bands to sometimes hold the footie onto the stem…..or even a “twist-tie” over the footie.
Now, foot sox are not the only “game” in town….just the most popular.
PAPER SACKS
In a suburban area of Seattle or Portland you probably have a significant codling moth population. By and large, foot sox are not the best answer for this kind of a problem. Rather, what some people use in this case are paper sacks. These can be purchased through a Cash N’ Carry or any retail store or maybe even for large orders through Merchant Paper Company in Portland Oregon (503-235-2171).
Be sure to tie the paper sack with a twist-tie or staple the paper sack over the apple in a secure way. You will have to clean up these bags later and they do not look pretty. However, there is a “cute” trick you can play with bagging a red apple that might make it worthwhile for you. Take off the bag the first week in September and put a stencil with a name on that apple, harvest the apple two weeks later, and then take off the stencil….and volah ! You now have a name on that apple that no one can figure out how it got there! Ha ha.
NETTING
Insect netting may also be useful for smaller varieties of bushes or trees and all you have to do is cover the entire tree right after pollination and then just leave the netting there until you are ready for harvest.
Here are a few useful videos and websites as well:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6724528_rid-apple-tree-worms.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6jpga4_fV8
You could purchase large quantities of bee netting through an agency like Chamberlin Ag in Wenatchee or just get bridal tulle from a fabric store (only lasts a year or so) or a sturdier mosquito netting from an Army Navy Surplus store.
Well, enough for now…..if anyone has any additions to make to the materials I list below, email pipersorchard@gmail.com
TRICHOGRAMMA WASPS (organic control of codling moth)
Planet Natural once carried. Check with them. 866-349-0605 (?)
TWIST – TIES
Twist-Ease, Inc.
PLASTIC SANDWICH BAGS (for covering apples)
Supermarket, Fred Meyer, etc. maybe 300 for less than $3 if you shop
Codling Moth Mating Disruptors
Pheromone lures are probably not cost-effective for homeowners, but could be interesting as part of a unified approach.
Wilbur Ellis or Chamberlin Ag can help with these but this only works in remote areas, not suburban areas with a high codling moth population.
KAOLIN SPRAY (Sometimes known as “surround”…..organic protection)
Gardens Alive 513-354-1482
TRAPS
Tangletrap can be purchased from many nurseries.
Great Lakes IPM 1-800-235-0285
Friends of Pipers Orchard 