Authors: PJ Liesch, Annie Deutsch, and Christelle Guédot, UW-Madison Division of Extension
Last Revised: 11/13/2019
X-number: XHT1098

Managing fruit crop insect pests can be very challenging.  Pest control involving multiple approaches (referred to as “integrated pest management”) is generally the most effective and safest strategy.  Before taking any management action, make sure to correctly identify any insect pest.  You can do this by submitting photos or samples of insects to your local county Extension office (see https://counties.extension.wisc.edu/ for details) or to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab (see http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectlab/ for details).  Once your pest is identified, there are many resources available to determine the best method of control, which may or may not include use of insecticides.  If insecticides are needed, this fact sheet provides information on active ingredients in some common products that are labeled for use by home gardeners.  Additional information and alternative control measures for a variety of insect pests are available in University of Wisconsin Garden Facts fact sheets at https://pddc.wisc.edu/.  Any products listed are intended as a guide; you as the user are responsible for following all label instructions.  Control recommendations for common fruit tree pest, such as aphids, leafrollers, and plum curculio are listed under apple only.  Make sure to not apply insecticides during bloom to protect pollinators.

Apples/Pears

Aphids

• Acetamiprid
• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Insecticidal Soap
• Neem Oil
• Permethrin
• Pyrethrins
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Apple Maggot

• Acetamiprid
• Carbaryl
• Kaolin clay
• Pyrethrins
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Codling Moth

• Acetamiprid
• Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
• Carbaryl
• Permethrin
• Pyrethrins
• Spinosad
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Leafrollers

• Acetamiprid
• Azadirachtin
• Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
• Carbaryl
• Permethrin
• Pyrethrins
• Spinosad
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Mites (Includes Pear Rust Mite)

• Azadirachtin
• Dormant Oil
• Insecticidal Soaps
• Neem Oil

Plum Curculio

• Acetamiprid
• Carbaryl
• Kaolin Clay
• Malathion
• Permethrin
• Pyrethrins
• Spinosad
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Stink Bugs

• Acetamiprid
• Carbaryl
• Permethrin

Scales

• Acetamiprid
• Azadirachtin
• Dormant Oil
• Insecticidal soap
• Neem oil
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Stone Fruits (Apricots/Cherries/Peaches/Plums)

Cherry Fruit Fly

• Carbaryl
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Cherry Fruitworm

• Carbaryl
• Spinosad
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Peachtree & Lesser Peachtree Borers

• Permethrin

Spotted Wing Drosophila

• Carbaryl
• Spinosad
• Pyrethrins
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Tarnished Plant Bug and Stink Bug

• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Permethrin
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Brambles (Blackberries/Raspberries)

Aphids

• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Insecticidal Soap
• Malathion
• Neem Oil
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Cane Borer

• Prune out and destroy
  infested canes

Fruitworm

• Carbaryl
• Spinosad

Japanese Beetle

• Azadirachtin
• Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae
• Carbaryl
• Kaolin clay
• Neem oil
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Leafrollers

• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Spinosad
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Picnic Beetles

• Carbaryl
• Malathion
• Bait traps with overripe fruit

Sawfly

• Carbaryl
• Insecticidal Soap
• Malathion
• Spinosad
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Spotted Wing Drosophila

• Carbaryl
• Spinosad
• Pyrethrins
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Strawberries

Aphids

• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Insecticidal Soap
• Malathion
• Neem Oil
• Pyrethrins

Mites

• Azadirachtin
• Insecticidal Soap
• Malathion
• Neem Oil

Leafhoppers

• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Malathion
• Neem Oil

Plant Bugs

• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Insecticidal Soap
• Malathion

Slugs

• Iron Phosphate
• Metaldehyde bait

Spittlebugs

• Carbaryl
• Malathion

Strawberry Bud Weevil

• Azadirachtin
• Carbaryl
• Malathion
• Pyrethrins

Strawberry Leafroller

• Acetamiprid
• Azadirachtin
• Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
• Carbaryl
• Spinosad

Grapes

Grape Flea Beetle

• Carbaryl
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Grape Phylloxera

• Acetamiprid

Japanese Beetle

• Azadirachtin
• Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae
• Carbaryl
• Kaolin clay
• Neem Oil
• Zeta-Cypermethrin

Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle

• Carbaryl

Wasps

• Remove nests, place traps

For more general fruit information and more information on insecticides that can be used on other types of plants:  See https://fruit.wisc.edu/ and University of Wisconsin Garden Facts Home Turf Insecticides, Home Landscape Insecticides, and Home Vegetable Insecticides.

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