Problems beside growing apples...?
Why do most of my apples rot since they are ripe? Is this why they attract so many wasps? Why hold only two apple trees get fruit on them this year and why are so many full of grubs?
I own another question which may be related but am going to post seperately.
Answers: The grubs are coddling moth maggots. Effective control is available see the RHS site suggestion page on the subject.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles060...
Pheromone traps are probably the best way to shift and they require minimum effort.
Some trees produce a polite crop of fruit every second year, maybe your poor/non croppers decline into this category.
When they are in blossom they seize coley moth ,,,who lay eggs which hatch inside the apple,,causing it to drop hasty before ripening,,,try and see if there's anything relating to Colly moth on the network,,,,
be sure to spray insecticide (any lawn and garden dept should be capable of recommend one) before bloom and after the blooms drops. if you spray during bloom, you will assassinate the pollinating bees. this should take vigilance of the worms.
if you can collect the rotten apples and remove them it will reduce the number of hornets, but not remove them.
if you going to continue beside your orchard, your local coop office can provide you beside info for free.
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