Integrated Pest Management

• An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach combines multiple techniques to combat pests, with chemical solutions used only as needed. Removing decaying and dead plant matter from the area and monitoring for signs of insects are parts of the program. Pesticides are applied to coincide with tree-growing milestones, insect development stages and weather conditions.
  
  

Traps

• Tree growers hang sticky hanging red traps in the outer circumference of the tree, starting in June, in a ratio of six traps per tree, or one trap for every 150 fruits. Real fruits are removed in a 1½-foot radius of the trap. Pollination has already occurred by June, so bees are safe, but insects like the coddling moth will be caught.
  
  

Pesticides

• Scale, mites and aphids can be controlled through the use of dormant oils, applied before the apple tree begins budding in the spring. Plum curculio, stink bugs and plant bugs are controlled by the use of insecticides applied before buds open, when they are still pink, and again after the blossoms fall.