# Spring is the Time to Stop Codling & Guava Moth Before They Reach Your Fruit
- Bonny Faulkner-Hollis-Alexander
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
As winter loosens its grip and our fruit trees begin to wake up, many gardeners are focused on blossom, fresh growth, and the promise of a bumper harvest. Unfortunately, spring also signals the start of activity for two of New Zealand's most frustrating fruit pests – Codling Moth and Guava Moth.
If you've ever cut open a beautiful apple, pear, feijoa, or guava only to find a tunnel and an unwelcome grub inside, you've already met them.
The good news? The most important time to break their lifecycle is right now.
Why the Bud Burst to Petal Fall Period Matters
The period between bud burst and petal fall is one of the most critical stages in managing moth pests.
As temperatures rise, overwintering larvae pupate and emerge as adult moths. These adults begin mating around the time trees are flowering. Once petals fall, females start laying eggs on developing fruit, leaves, and nearby foliage. When those eggs hatch, the tiny larvae quickly bore into the young fruit where they are protected from sprays and natural predators. Once inside, control becomes extremely difficult.
This is why experienced orchardists focus on prevention during the flowering and petal-fall period rather than trying to deal with the damage later.
Understanding the Pest Cycle
The cycle is remarkably simple:
Larvae overwinter under loose bark, in crevices, leaf litter, or sheltered areas around the tree.
In spring they pupate and emerge as adult moths.
Adults mate and lay eggs on leaves and developing fruit.
Newly hatched larvae bore directly into fruit.
After feeding, the larvae leave the fruit and seek shelter to pupate, continuing the cycle.
Breaking this cycle before the larvae enter the fruit is the key to cleaner harvests.
Tree banding has long been used as a mechanical control method in home orchards and commercial growing systems.
How Tree Wraps Help
Our Tree Wraps provide a simple, chemical-free way to interrupt the lifecycle of Codling and Guava Moth.
The Wool and Hemp material creates an attractive hiding place for wandering larvae looking for somewhere safe to pupate. Instead of disappearing into bark crevices and protected areas around the tree, many will shelter within the wrap itself. By soaking the material in Neem with a cheap oil, the pests are suffocated right in the midst of their journey to your fruit. Neem penetrates the tree trunk and provides additional protection through systemic action.
While tree wraps are not a stand-alone solution, they are an excellent part of an integrated pest management approach alongside good orchard hygiene, removal of fallen fruit, pruning, and monitoring pest activity. (https://www.naturallyneem.co.nz/product-page/biodegradable-insect-sticky-trap)
So, why not give them a go? Note: this product is only available as an add-on- you need to purchase something else to get this price.
Our Sea-Hume granules are due in the country by the end of August.
Please share this article if you can. Thanks.
Bonny, the Neem Lady
