Buggy Apples - Learn more!
Post sponsored by Welcome to PDX Real Estate Agent, Deb
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Post sponsored by Welcome to PDX Real Estate Agent, Deb 〰️
“They’re organic, but they’re not vegan”
Portland (and the Pacific Northwest) is rich in apples, but a lot of those apples qualify as “organic, but not vegan,” as the result of coddling moth - and the occasional earwig. If you have found yourself referencing your apples as full of protein, we hope this post will help!
Coddling moth larva on a sliced apple
Are Earwigs and Codling Moths a Problem?
While earwigs can be a mixed bag (they can be both a beneficial insect AND a pest, depending on perspective), codling moth is pretty much always a bummer, and the less they’re treated/prevented, the more of a hold they will get on your tree(s). Both thrive in Portland’s mild, moist climate, making apple trees a prime target for infestation.
Earwigs are small, brown insects with pincers on their abdomen. While they are beneficial in some ways, such as preying on other pests, earwigs can wreak havoc on young apples, nibbling at the skin. They also target the tender new growth of trees, which can stunt growth and reduce fruit production over time.
Codling moths are a more notorious pest, known for causing the proverbial "worm in the apple." These moths lay their eggs on the fruit in the spring, and when the larvae hatch, they tunnel into the apples, feeding on the core and causing damage. Once inside, codling moth larvae can ruin entire crops if not controlled. Fallen apples create space for the larva to grow, hatch, and repeat the whole process the following season.
Non-Chemical Solutions for Pest Management
For the average home orchardist, some of these might seem like a bit much, so let’s talk about how to get the most bang for your buck.
1. Sanitation Practices
Keeping your orchard clean is one of the most effective ways to prevent pests from taking hold, and reducing their numbers over time.
Remove fallen fruit: Codling moth larvae often overwinter in fallen apples. By regularly picking up and discarding any fruit that drops to the ground, you reduce the chance of moth larvae re-infesting your trees the following season. DO NOT use your home compost! Put your fallen fruit in the green bin!
Pro Tip: also rake up the leaves and help deal with all of the leaf-born disease that is also a problem for apples (sounds like another post to us!)
Prune properly: Prune your apple trees in late winter and summer to increase airflow and sunlight penetration. Not sure how? We can train you, or you can hire us to do the work (see below).
2. Thinning Fruit
While time consuming, this is a really impactful thing to do, even if it’s just on the fruit you can reach. By removing fruit on your tree in the early stages of growth you can promote larger sweeter apples with fewer imperfections, disrupt the “every other year” harvest cycle, prevent branch breakage, AND reduce pest issues.
When the fruit has just started to form on your tree you will see it set in bunches of up to 7 fruits, in each bunch you need to remove all but the biggest one.
The result should be that you have fruit at least 6 inches apart. With room for the fruits to ripen without touching each other.
Pro Tip for Canners - the fruitlets you remove can be made into pectin for future jelly!
3. Barriers on the Fruit
Not always a practical solution for home orchardists, it is a successful one. You can apply a clay spray and/or bags on the fruit you want to keep. That means you don’t need to do all 1000 apples on your tree - maybe you only do 50 that you know you want to eat right off the tree. Barriers need to be on individual fruits when they are about the size of a walnut. Must be done before codling moth hatch, typically around Mother’s Day, although that is harder to predict with climate change.
Use breathable paper bags, “footie” socks, or nylon fruit bags designed for orchard use. You can also coat the socks to further deter the pests: Mix kaolin clay with water and apply it to water-impermeable nylon stockings, also known as maggot barriers or footies.
Slip the bag over each apple, securing it loosely around the stem.
This prevents codling moths from laying eggs on the fruit, significantly reducing the likelihood of infestation.
Kaolin clay dipped footies drying at the Parkrose Community Orchard
4. Sticky Traps
Traps can be an effective way to monitor and know they are around adult earwigs.
You can make simple sticky traps using petroleum jelly or Tanglefoot around the base of the tree or on low-hanging branches.
Also helpful for stonefruit (peaches, plums, etc), that earwigs love to live in!
5. Encourage Beneficial Insects
Predatory insects such as parasitic wasps, lacewings, and ground beetles can help keep both earwig and codling moth populations in check.
Planting a variety of native plants and flowering herbs around your apple trees (but not touching!) can attract these beneficial insects.
Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that may kill off helpful predators along with pests.
6. Wrap Trunks with Cardboard Bands
For codling moth, wrapping the trunks of apple trees with corrugated cardboard bands can serve as a simple (and yes, time consuming) yet effective method for catching larvae.
The larvae will crawl into the corrugations of the cardboard to pupate, mistaking it for a safe place.
Every few weeks, remove the bands and destroy any larvae inside by composting
7. Handpicking Earwigs
If you have a small orchard or just a few trees - and a lot of free time - handpicking earwigs at night (when they are most active) can be a solution.
Place damp, rolled-up newspaper or pieces of cardboard near the base of your trees. Earwigs will crawl into these shelters overnight, and you can collect and dispose of them in the morning.
Do you have questions or need help?
Check out the Home Orchard Education Center for workshops and more
Find articles and more with the Oregon State University Extension school
Take the next step with Portland Fruit Tree Project!
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