Too late to treat codling moth?
Bf206
Posts: 234
Our new house has an apple tree that last Autumn was ravaged by maggots. I've been slow to get the garden sorted out and, even though I put a grease band on it in the winter, it looks like Sept/Oct was the time to spray nematodes (would rather go organic).
Equally, looking at these winter tree washes, I think it's too late to use those now and, with flowers on the way, pyrethrin/organic spray doesn't sound a great idea for bees either.
So, although I've looked on the RHS website, I'm not clear on what options I've got now to treat the tree? I wonder why spraying nematodes now wouldn't work, but the instructions specifically only mark Sept/Oct as the time to apply them.
I know there are loads of threads on codling moth but couldn't find anything that addresses your options at this time of year... thank you!
Posts
I use a Horticultural soap spray which is reasonably organic. You just do not spray when the bees are about. I am going to do a second spray in a while, at night, when the flowers are open. This ought to catch the newly hatched grubs before the fruit forms. Never tried it before, but we lost so much fruit last year that I am going to give it a go. If it works then it may reduce the number of moths around for consequent seasons.
V helpful thank you. Could you recommend a horticultural soap?
This is the one I use Vitax 500ml Winter Tree Wash .
A pheremone trap deployed around end April early May should help too. In theory it is just to show when you should spray but as it traps males it also reduces the numbers of grubs even if you don't spray
Thanks. I'm still getting a bit confused by all the various sprays (oils, pyrethrum) as they all seem to suggest not spraying now. So maybe it is as you say a question of spraying in early summer? Certainly after the flowers have gone if using pyrethrum because of harming bees - along the poster above says about spraying at night...
The name of 'winter' tree wash does seem to indicate I'm too late - the oil can harm young buds? - and then as I say nematodes say spray Sept/Oct.
I actually think I'd prefer the idea of nematodes and am half inclined to try them anyway now Maybe they don't kill the eggs though?
Will have another round of Google too but any further thoughts gratefully accepted!
We have these on every tree. They do not seem to make much difference, sadly. In fact on most occasions there are no codlin moth adults in them, only other insects, stuck to the sticky trap, including bees.
Perhaps we use them wrongly.