The popularity of fruit trees for home gardens continues to grow, with apples and pears topping the list. However, codling moths, a major pest for these fruits, can quickly ruin the fun. Oregon State University Extension Service in Deschutes County has received hundreds of calls about managing codling moths.
The program supports sustainable gardening practices and helps minimize pest damage in home orchards.
Many backyard growers understand that managing codling moths depends on temperature and the pest's life cycle, but they often lack confidence in knowing when and how to act. Project Happy Apples, an Extension program, helps gardeners manage this pest. The goals are to teach when to monitor and manage codling moths, boost confidence in using tools and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and reduce codling moth populations.
Participants sign up for email notifications or visit the Project Happy Apples website. They get specific dates for action, photos of the pest and its life cycle, a list of tools and supplies, and the pros and cons of different IPM methods.
The timing for managing codling moths changes yearly because their life cycle depends on the weather. Project Happy Apples removes the guesswork. More than 1,100 people have signed up since the project began. With this knowledge, participants can use successful IPM programs, reduce pesticide use and minimize codling moth damage in their home orchards.
The Happy Apples program benefits Oregon gardeners by providing effective pest management strategies for codling moths. Through timely email notifications and a dedicated website, gardeners receive specific dates for action, photos of the pest and a list of tools and IPM methods. This increases their knowledge and confidence in managing pests, reduces reliance on pesticides, and promotes healthier fruit production. Overall, the program supports sustainable gardening practices and helps minimize pest damage in home orchards.
