Pest Alerts

Prepare plants for winter by decreasing irrigation.  In Missoula we are behind the average precipitation for the year, but we don’t want trees and shrubs going dry into winter.

We are still applying Codling moth sprays. We are still catching moths Whatever spray you use, plan to spray again in according to label directions. It is good to rotate different sprays so the bugs don’t develop a resistance. We will be spraying till middle of August for the Codling Moths. 

If you have small fruits dropping off of fruit trees, especially apple trees, don’t worry this is just natural “June drop”, or the tree’s natural thinning process.

It’s time to apply the first generation Codling moth spray. Spinosad or neem are some of the least-toxic options. Malathion and permethrin are some of the hard pesticide options. Spray in the evening. It’s still not yet quite time to spray for wormy cherries for the cherry fruit worm (usually when cherries start to show their first color).

It’s not yet time time to spray for codling moths but June 8th will be the start of egg hatch. Spinosad or neem are some least-toxic options. Malathion, acetamiprid , permethrin is the hard pesticide option. Spray in the evening.

We are catching codling moths in pheromone traps this week and monitoring codling moth egg development. It has been slow due to the snow and cold weather. The least-toxic option for codling moth is Spinosad or neem oil. Malathion, Carbaryl, or permethrin are the hard-pesticide options.

Apple trees have mostly finished blooming and are setting fruit. We have caught codling moths in pheromone traps this week. We are counting down until the first of egg hatch. So, it is STILL too early to spray for codling moth but be ready it will happen.

Apples are in full bloom now. We have caught Codling moths in pheromone traps in the Missoula area. If you have traps, check them for Codling moth now. It is too early to spray for Codling moth. Now is a good time to get the spray materials on hand.

Apple, apricot & pear trees are blooming. Some caterpillars are showing up in the landscape, such as eyespotted bud moth, leaf rollers, tent caterpillars and one that looks like a caterpillar but is sawfly larva. Spinosad or Neem oil will control them when they are young.

The much needed rain has really got new growth emerging on trees and shrubs. Apricots, pears, early apples & chokecherries are blooming. Rest of the Apples are at first pink tip stage but It is TOO EARLY to spray fruit trees for pests.

We are seeing forsythia blooming, but most fruit trees except plums have not started blooming yet. Apple buds are at pink tip now, pears are about ready to bloom. Our warm spring weather has gotten things blooming and coming up early this year.

Spring weather is definitely here, teasing us with some hot days then cooler and cool morning temperatures! Some apples varieties are at tight cluster to pink tip now. Service berry & forsythia are blooming, crabapples, hawthorn, chokecherries, current and shrub roses are leafing out. You should be finishing up your pruning now.