If you’ve ever bitten into a homegrown apple only to find a brown, winding tunnel inside, you’ve met the apple maggot.
This small fly lays eggs just under the apple’s skin. Once the larvae hatch, they tunnel through the fruit, turning it into a mushy mess.
The good news? You don’t need chemicals to fight back. With a few simple habits, you can protect your apples and help stop the spread of apple maggot.
What to do: Collect fallen apples every week and toss them in the garbage not the compost. Backyard chickens or local birds can also help with cleanup.
What to do: Slip a bag over each apple when it’s about the size of a quarter and leave it until 3 weeks before harvest. Odd-looking? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.
For detailed instructions on how to bag your apples click here.
Tip: For hands-on support with traps or spraying, reach out to us in late April or early May so we can get you set up before peak pest season.