Wormy apples are the result of the work of the codling moth, which lays eggs in the ovaries.
Chemicals won't help: caterpillars hide inside the fruit. But there is a method that works without toxins.
In May, when butterflies start flying, hang plastic bottles with a narrow neck on the branches. Pour fermented apple juice or beer into them. The insects will fly to the smell and drown in the liquid.
Another trick is to plant wormwood around trees. Its bitter aroma will disorient pests.
And in the fall, be sure to collect fallen fruit: pupae spend the winter in rotting apples.
If the infestation has already occurred, use the bacterial preparation "Lepidocid". It is safe for people, but kills caterpillars in 3 days.
And don't forget to whiten the trunks: butterflies don't lay eggs on a light surface. In a season, your apples will be so clean that you'll forget about wormholes.
But there are other tricks. For example, attract birds to the garden. Hang birdhouses and feeders - tits and flycatchers will destroy up to 70% of caterpillars.
And planting calendula or nasturtium under trees will create a “living barrier” against pests.
Interesting fact: the codling moth hates the smell of tomato tops. Spread them around the tree trunks - the butterflies will fly away from the apple trees.
Another method is trapping belts. Wrap the trunks with burlap soaked in glue. The caterpillars will not be able to climb to the crown.
And don't neglect pruning: dense branches create shade and moisture, ideal for pests.
In two years, your garden will be a model of cleanliness, and your neighbors will ask for secrets.
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya