Bug Traps

Commercial fruit grows have relied on monitoring traps for Apple & Plum Maggots.

The traps include a synthetic pheromone that simulates the ‘fragrance’ emitted by the female moths in spring. The pheromones attack male moths from miles away thinking they are on to a good thing. The males not only become disappointed on arrive but also become fastened to a sticky pad inside the traps. they can’t fly way to mate.

In commercial orchards these traps are used to monitor the arrival of the moths to then instigate a spraying program to kill the moths. In your garden just trapping the males is probably enough to stop the the laying of viable eggs and the hatching of maggots that burrow into your fruit. This makes the traps very environmentally friendly. Refills are available for following years.