Organic Insect Control for Fruit Trees

Although some insects that infest fruit trees are named for a favorite host fruit, they will ruin several different types of fruit. For instance, plum curculios are not exclusive to plum trees. You will find them throughout a mixed fruit orchard.

Apple maggots and plum curculio are difficult to control organically. Both of these use dropped fruit as hosts for the next generation, so simply keeping fruit and tree litter cleaned up goes a long way towards preventing infestations.

Tangletrap is a sticky bait that traps the adult flies of apple maggots. Tangletrap is easy to use. You simply paint it on red plastic balls, and then hang them in your fruit trees. About 8 red ball traps are enough for a standard size tree. Use 4 to 6 in a semi dwarf tree, and 2 or 3 in a dwarf tree. The flies are attracted to the red plastic "fruit," which works like flypaper when they land. The fly population in southern Indiana usually explodes beginning in July; I usually hang the traps when I do yardwork before the 4^th of July holiday. Check the traps every few days. When they are full, clean them off, apply a fresh layer of tangletrap and rehang them. This is such a safe, simple solution that really works.

Neem oil is effective against plum curculio and other chewing and sucking insects. It is a product of the Indian neem tree, which has a centuries old history of usefulness, including medicinal purposes. Neem oil is slow acting, but thorough. It doesn't have the knock-down kill power that people in the US have come to expect in an insecticide. Neem is an organic systemic, certified by the USDA as a safe organic product. When insects chew plants that have been sprayed with neem oil, it interferes with their natural processes. They forget to eat, they don't mate, and they die. New generations do not arise. Neem oil is harmless to humans and animals. In fact, birds can eat "neemed" insects with no problems.

Mix neem oil in a sprayer. Use one teaspoon pure neem oil per quart of water, and add an environmentally friendly liquid dish soap as a dispersant. Spray the entire plant, including the undersides of the leaves and developing fruits. Spray the soil surrounding the plants, too. The plants' roots will take up the neem, and it will work systemically against insects.

Neem works on houseplants, too. It is safe, even if you have pets that chew your plants. Neem also makes an effective mosquito repellent; use it instead of poisonous chemical sprays, or add some to lamp oil or as an enhancement to citronella.

Sources:
Personal Experience
Product label instructions