How to Use Footies to Protect Apples

Overview

Apple maggots and codling moths are both pests of apple trees. The larvae of both insects feed on the growing apple fruit, devouring the apple harvest before you have a chance to pick it. While you can get some control over apple maggots and codling moths with chemical sprays, there is a wholly organic and effective way to protect apples with footies. Footies are the nylon slippers that you use to try on shoes in shoe stores, but they also make a great barrier for boring apple maggots and codling moth larvae.

Step 1

Wait until the apple fruit is the size of a nickel, between May and June.

Step 2

Thin the fruit on each cluster of apples until only one apple remains. Pick the fruit off with your fingers. Leave the apples with the thickest stems.

Step 3

Slip the footie all the way over the growing apples.

Step 4

Twist the open end of the footie around the apple's stems.

Step 5

Leave the footies on the apples until they are ready to harvest.