Chemical Pesticides

While one goal of the SIR Program is to reduce the need for chemical pesticides, there are situations where chemical intervention may be required.

Backyard Trees

Whether you apply the spray yourself or hire a Professional Pesticide Applicator, spraying should start about two weeks after petal fall (petal fall is when most of the trees flower petals have fallen from the tree, usually early June) and continue until near harvest.

Many factors impact the success of a spray program, including: the product used, spray residual, timing, spray coverage, weather, irrigation, and the level of codling moth pressure.

The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands provides information here on managing backyard fruit trees, including the use of pesticides.

Be aware that spraying alone may not control codling moth infestation. It is important to properly prune your trees, thin the fruit clusters, and remove and destroy all infested fruit throughout the entire growing season.

Orchard Trees

SIR Program staff can provide information to growers on what infestation has been found (if any) and what wild codling moth traps have recorded in specific orchards and nearby areas.  This information can help growers plan what codling moth control measures are necessary, including the use of chemical pesticides.

Orchardists should contact their field consultant for advice on how to control codling moth on their orchards.  Control of codling moth can often be combined with control for other pests.  Packinghouse field service staff or consultants have the expertise to advise orchardists on appropriate control measures.

The SIR Program appreciates the use of spray warning notifications by growers so that staff can safely deliver services to orchards.

The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands provides further information on codling moth monitoring, and control.