Codling moth is the culprit for the famous worm in the apple.  It is the larva stage that is responsible for entering the fruit after egg hatch out.  They may also infect pears, walnuts, plums and other fruit.

Females lay some 30 to 70 eggs on or near growing fruit.  Eggs typically hatch in 1 to 3 weeks.  The newly hatched larvae then seek refuge inside of the fruit approximately 24 hours after hatch out.  They then spend the summer and fall feeding on the fruit especially the seeds at the center.  After passing through 5 larval stages the fully developed larva emerges prepared to pupate.  The pupal stage may be spent on the bark of the tree or on other nearby materials where they spin a cocoon which will house them as they go into diapause (a state of suspended animation for insects) for the winter.

When spring arrives the adults emerge from their cocoon in search of the opposite sex.

Control options include dormant oil sprays, insecticides, biological controls.

Presence may be established through the use of pheromone traps.  Spraying schedule normally involves four treatments starting near the end of May, mid June, beginning of July and the beginning of August.

Extermiman® prices are based on the number and size of trees to be treated.