Help save Skagit apples and other fruit
Situation: Apple Maggot Infestation!!!
This pest threatens all fruit trees: pear, apple, asian pear, and quince. All pome fruit is affected and will be useless if no level of control is achieved.
The Horticultural Pest Control Board has developed an effective program designed to protect both commercial orchards and the homeowner's fruit tree investment.
This worthwhile program should be continued, if not expanded within its existing limits. Better monitoring to aid in more efficient tracking and control will allow orchardists to produce and market without restrictions.
Statistics
Year |
Traps Deployed |
Number of Positive Sites (Skagit Co.) |
1996 |
121 |
3 |
1997 |
378 |
18 |
1998 |
499 |
12 |
1999 |
404 |
34 |
2000 |
499 |
51 |
2001 |
441 |
45 |
2002 |
341 |
16 |
2003 |
316 |
22 |
2004 |
367 |
60 |
2005 |
398 |
88 |
The 2003 WSU/Skagit County Agricultural Statistics show the apple industry in Skagit County as having a $2,025,000.00 value to the growers on a total of 270 acres county-wide.
Other serious pests in Skagit County include:
- Western Cherry Fruit Fly
- Codling Moth (apples)
- Walnut Husk Fly
The Law
According to RCW 15.09.060 - Each owner of land containing any plant or plants shall perform or cause to be performed such acts as may be necessary to control and to prevent the spread of horticultural pests and diseases, such pests and diseases are defined under RCW 15.08.010, as now or hereafter amended, or as such pests and diseases are defined by the director of the department of agriculture in accordance with the purpose of this chapter and with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW. The word "owner" as used in this section shall mean the possessor or possessors of any form of legal or equitable title to land and entitlement to posession. For purposes of liability under this chapter, the owners of land shall be jointly and severally liable.
Read RCW 15.09.080 for more information.
Summary: Homeowners may be liable for losses suffered by neighboring commercial orchards.
Detection
To detect the current level of apple maggot infestation, traps are monitored on apples trees within a 1-mile radius of a commercial orchard. Traps are monitored by the Skagit County Horticultural Pest Control Coordinator and WSDA. Traps are available for purchase at the WSU Skagit County Extension office for home owner's use. Upon a home owner's request, the Pest Coordinator will assist in monitoring backyard orchards or trees.
For more information, see:
How to Use Apple Maggot Traps
How Can I Prevent Apple Maggot from Infesting My Fruit?
EB1928: Protecting Backyard Apple Trees from Apple Maggot
 |
This yellow trap that is shown is the type of trap that is available at the WSU Skagit County Extension office for purchase to be used by both commercial orchards and homeowners for apple maggot fly detection. |
Prevention - What Must Be Done
For the homeowner:
- Pick up and dispose of fallen apples in the trash - DO NOT COMPOST!!!
- Fallen apples can be fed to livestock if desired.
- Fallen apples can be stored over winter in durable black lawn bags - make sure the bags are tied tightly to prevent the maggot spreading to the soil, let the sun bake them, roll the bags often, let them freeze over winter, then the following spring they can be used to spread as compost.
For the commercial orchardist:
- Stay in touch with the Skagit County Horticultural Pest Control Coordinator.
- If one apple maggot is detected within an orchard, the orchard is put under quarantine - meaning that the apples cannot leave Skagit County.
- If one apple maggot is detected within a 1-mile radius of the orchard, the apples are put on threatened status - meaning that in order for the apples to leave Skagit County they have to be inspected by the WSDA at the expense of the orchardist.
Horticultural Pest and Disease Board
On May 26, 1998, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved the formation of a Horticultural Pest and Disease Board. The Board is charged with the responsibility of receiving complaints concerning pests and diseases in Skagit County and taking action to control priority pests and diseases that threaten agriculture in the county. The Board operates under the rules of the State of Washington, RCW 15.09. The Skagit County Horticultural Pest Control Coordinator will be able to answer your questions about apple maggot and trap placement. The office is located at 11768 Westar Lane, Suite A in Burlington, phone number 428-4270. Yellow traps and red sphere traps are available for purchase through the Coordinator, or you can purchase them from private vendors. Please Help Save Skagit Apples by cooperating with the Pest and Disease Board and by doing your part to keep this insect out of our local apples.
NOTE: Make sure "apple" is listed as a crop on the label of the insecticide product you purchase. Use pesticides with care. Follow all label precautions to protect yourself and others around you. It is a violation of the law to disregard label direction. If pesticides are spilled on skin or clothing, remove clothing and wash skin thoroughly. Store pesticides in their original containers and keep them out of the reach of children, pets, and animals.
For questions about apple maggot, contact the Skagit County Horticultural Pest Control Coordinator, 360/708-2362 or your local WSU Extension office.
Apple Maggot
Apple Maggot Fly
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