What should I be spraying my apple trees with?

Horticultural oil is a well known insecticide for application during a tree’s dormant period to prevent unintended harm to beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs. The University of California recommends spraying apple trees with dormant oil in the winter to control San Jose scale, and aphid and mite eggs.

How many times a year do you spray apple trees?

Pests must be present for spray to be effective. Application: Follow the label. To avoid fruit drop, apply 30 days after full bloom. Apply as directed, every 7 days, up to 8 times per year (max) as needed.

When should you start spraying fruit trees?

First, spray when the flower buds first begin to develop in early spring. When the buds grow larger and swell, but before they open, spray again. This lapse of time is normally 10 to 14 days. Always thoroughly saturate your tree with the spray you have chosen and follow label instructions for effectiveness and safety.

How long before rain can you spray apple trees?

Pesticides work best if they are applied at least 24 hours before a rain. When a rain happens before the next spray, the effectiveness is reduced as the material begins to wash off. Even a light rain can wash off a percentage of the spray.

How do I keep bugs off my apple tree naturally?

Mow around the tree or, better yet, replace grass with mulch. Remove plastic and paper tree guards where adult moths and flies like to overwinter, and replace them with wire mesh guards. Prune the apple tree every winter prior to new growth. Cut out any crossing branches, water spouts, and generally over-crowded areas.

How do you know if an apple has worms?

You can tell which one has damaged your apple: The moth’s larva leaves large brown holes on the outside of the fruit and makes large tunnels inside; the apple maggot larva creates smaller exterior pits and blemishes, and its tunnels are very thin.

Is it too late to spray apples?

If sprays are applied too late, the pests enter and eat inside the fruit where they are protected from sprays. If applied too early, the spray will dissipate and be ineffective when the insects attack. So if you have an apple, pear, or cherry tree, be ready to spray your trees within the next few weeks.

When should you spray dormant apples?

Dormant oils should be applied in late March or early April before the plants show signs of breaking dormancy (before “bud break”). Dormant oils applied in February or early March are not effective as insects are not actively respiring at this time and, therefore, are not vulnerable to the oil’s suffocating effects.

How do I protect my apple trees from insects?