Methods of dealing with a moth on an apple tree, how to process it to get rid of
There are many methods of controlling the moth on an apple tree. Biological and chemical preparations can be bought ready-made. Compositions made according to folk recipes are also considered effective. The main thing is to follow the rules and terms of processing trees. Each solution is made in strict compliance with the recommended proportions. Preventive measures will prevent the pest from reappearing.
The structure and life cycle of the pest
The fruit moth is a pest that significantly reduces the yield and damages the tree itself. The moth eats young twigs and leaves.
The butterfly that lays eggs is small (in a span of no more than 2 cm). The front pair of wings is brown-gray in color with dark wavy lines. The hind pair of wings is light with velvety edges.
Butterflies begin to be active from the beginning of the flowering period of apple trees. Years last up to two months. The butterfly is active at night, so it is difficult to spot it during the day.
The insect lays up to 80-100 milky-yellow eggs on the inside of the leaves. After a couple of weeks, caterpillars of a light yellow or pink hue appear from the eggs. The length of an adult caterpillar is 15-19 mm.
First, the caterpillars gnaw at the leaves. After a week of their life, they start eating the fruits of the apple tree. One caterpillar can damage up to three fruits. Inside the apples, the caterpillars continue their development, where they pupate.
Characteristic signs and why the appearance of a parasite on an apple tree is harmful
It is possible to determine that the apple tree has been attacked by the moth by the state of the leaves and fruits. Pitted passages appear on the leaves, they turn yellow and dry. The caterpillars themselves are also found on the apple tree, which eat the leaves.
Damaged fruits become wormy. In the place where the caterpillar made moves, rotting begins. Apples fall off long before ripening, lose their beneficial properties and are not subject to long-term storage.
The harm caused by the apple moth is large:
- the number of crops decreases;
- apples do not ripen and fall off;
- at the same time, other fruit trees that grow near apple trees are affected.
After the apple falls from the tree, the caterpillar moves up the trunk to the next harvest.
Means of fighting the moth
You can fight the pest using chemical, mechanical and folk methods. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages:
- During the active summer of butterflies and the release of caterpillars from eggs, trees are treated with chemical agents.
- Biological preparations that are used in summer are considered non-toxic.
- Mechanical control does not involve the use of any drugs. You just need to monitor the trunk and bark of trees, as well as the soil around the apple tree.
- Folk remedies made entirely of natural ingredients can be combined with other drugs or used alone.
Subject to all the rules, it will be possible to get rid of the insect in a short time. Spraying is carried out several times per season.
Chemical solutions
The most effective way to combat the moth is the use of insecticides. Apple trees are treated with them in the summer months with an interval of two weeks. The frequency of the procedure will depend on the variety. It is enough to process early varieties three times per season, mid-ripening ones - up to 5 times, and late varieties of apple trees are processed up to 7 times.
Common remedies include: "Ditox", "Karbofos", "Fozalon", "Aktara", "Confidor". Pyrethroid drugs are also used: "Calypso", "Karate", "Arrivo", "Alatar", "Kinmiks", "Fatrin". Apple trees are treated with cyhalothorins: "Gladiator", "Vantex", "Borey".
The ready-made solution begins apple processing in early June and continue until mid-July. In the future, the use of chemistry is unacceptable.
Biological preparations
Insecticides contribute to the accumulation of chemical elements in fruits, therefore it is recommended to alternate them with other, safer means. Biological products (Fitoverm, Lepidocid, Bitoxibacillin) help to fight the pest.
Compositions prepared according to folk recipes are considered proven and effective:
- As soon as the flowering period ends, they are treated with a solution based on wormwood every 12 days up to four times. You can plant wormwood nearby with an apple tree.
- After flowering, you can spray the crown of apple trees with a solution based on pine needles. The needles are infused in water for a week, then filtered. Before use, the finished concentrate is once again diluted with water.
- Infusion of chamomile, wormwood, burdock or garlic helps to protect the tree from the attack of the moth.
You can lure the pest with apple cider vinegar. Dissolve 150 ml of vinegar in a liter of water. The bait is placed on a tree. As it fills with insects, the solution is changed.
Mechanical restoration
Mechanical methods for controlling the moth include:
- deep digging of soil around the trunk of a tree in the spring and autumn;
- removal of dead bark in the spring (it is better to burn it);
- apples that have fallen should be picked every evening (they are buried or carried far from the garden).
The listed activities are safe for the apple tree and the person himself and will not allow the pest to massively spread.
When to start and how to properly handle
So that all activities are not in vain, you need to correctly calculate the processing period. During the entire growing season, the apple tree needs several treatments with different options. This will protect the tree not only from the moth, but also from other pests.
In due time, they start spraying. For work, you will need a working solution, a spray device, and personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, clothing).
During spraying, you should try not to ignore any branch. The first spraying begins in the middle of flowering, when the buds are already tied. The next spraying is carried out 12 days after the fall of the flower petals.
In the spring
For apple trees to grow longer and bear fruit well, they need to be properly cared for. Spring processing of fruit trees is a mandatory procedure:
- Around each apple tree they remove old foliage, debris and dig in the ground.
- They clean the trunk of old bark, under which pests can hibernate.
- Be sure to cut off old, diseased, dry branches.
- In order to rejuvenate the tree, it is recommended to cut each branch by the length of the growth.
- After pruning trees, preventive treatment of trees from pests and diseases begins. Initially, the crown is treated when the buds have not yet blossomed. Bordeaux liquid and copper sulfate are used as the basis for solutions.
The best time to treat trees from the moth is 2.5 weeks after flowering.
Summer
Chemicals are used only at the beginning of summer so that pesticides do not have time to accumulate in the fruits. You can process trees with folk remedies at any time:
- In mid-June, the first summer treatment is carried out from the moth. You can spray with such insecticides as "Actellik", "Dimethoat".
- The second treatment is carried out in July, three weeks after the previous procedure. It is necessary to choose drugs that will help protect the tree from the second generation of the moth.
From the end of July, the processing of trees is stopped. At this time, the basic rules of prevention should be followed.
Prevention of the appearance of a bug
To prevent the appearance of a pest on a tree, a number of preventive actions should be taken:
- the separated bark should be removed from the tree trunk in time, which can become a wintering place for an insect;
- the soil around each tree is dug up and loosened;
- reliable protection against pests is created by planting flowers around the tree, which attract insects that are dangerous to the moth;
- damaged and diseased branches with fruits are removed immediately after detection;
- cracks in the tree are sealed with special means.
In springtime, the soil and tree trunk are sprinkled with wood ash. A spray solution is also prepared. Dissolve 100 g of ash in a bucket of water, infuse and add liquid soap. The processed apple tree is not damaged by pests for a long time.
