eChipmunks

Fruit tree pest control not toxic to pets?

I have gorgeous, mature yellow transparent apple trees that I have pruned back to health and production. I have dogs, and they are always in the yard with me and I fear for their safety if I were to use some of the toxic chemicals that are out there. I also feel strongly about using more natural means of pest control. I am in Michigan, the pest I have observed are tent caterpillars (I remove and burn the nests) and apple maggots. Please help! My granny died years ago so I have no one to ask for tried and true organic advice. Thanks for any info. I appreciate it!

Public Comments

1. Cool fire place ashes around the bottom for the worm larve, and spray paint the trunk with any color u prefer to prevent borers.
2. A tried and true way of keeping unwanted pests off of plants for me is to make a homemade spray. Get yourself a hand held spray bottle and mix these ingredients into it: 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 tbsp. of dish washing liquid and 1 cup of water. Mix the vegetable oil and dish washing liquid, then add 1 to 2 teaspoons of the mixture to the water in the bottle, shake well and drench the plant. In my experience doing this will not only keep the bugs away but it will also make the leaves extra shiny. This also works well on rose bushes.