Winter moth prevention

Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits

- Ruth Hayes

THERE is a well-worn and ancient joke that goes, ‘What’s even worse than biting into an apple and discovering a maggot?’ The answer, of course, is, ‘Half a maggot’, and early autumn is the time to be taking steps to ensure that fate doesn’t befall you next summer.

I found a little pink grub surrounded by lots of mess, or frass, in a greengage that I mercifully cut in half before eating.

This was a larva of a plum moth and these are prevented in May by setting pheromone traps around your trees.