May is finally here! This month we are answering two questions: “How do I keep worms out of my apples?” and “How do I keep ants off my apple trees?”

The worms that you find in your apples are probably caused by a type of moth known as the codling moth. This moth lays its eggs on the fruit, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae start eating your apples. The best way to deal with this problem is by preventing the moth from laying its eggs in the first place. To do this, we need to use homemade traps. We should start placing these traps in the spring.

To make a trap, take a plastic container and fill it with one part molasses and one part warm water. Fill it up to about one-quarter of the way. Then, make a quarter-inch hole on each side of the container about halfway up. Make sure the holes are not too big, so you don’t accidentally catch other insects like monarch butterflies. Finally, make a hole at the top of the container so you can hang the trap. You will need to refill the trap periodically with warm water because the water will evaporate, and the molasses will solidify. Use a container that is long enough so that the moth can’t walk out of the trap. Once the moth enters the trap, it will drown.

Place one trap upwind and one trap downwind of the tree to ensure full coverage of the molasses odor. I recommend placing them at around shoulder height so that they can be easily refilled. If you do all of this, the codling moth won’t stand a chance.

As for the ants, it’s a quick and easy fix. Simply wrap duct tape or packing tape tightly around the trunk of the tree with the adhesive part facing out. This will deter any ants or crawling aphids. Usually, place the tape about a foot above the ground and then leave a space before putting another section of tape.

If you have any gardening questions, send them to me at [email protected] with the subject line “Ask Anna,” and I’ll answer them in next month’s newsletter.