Introducing the WSU Pesticide Spray Record Evaluator

Friday Mar 07, 2025

At some point, many of us have heard from a grower or friend that "it's been a really bad year" for the control of a certain insect pest or "it's so bad we're going to need to pull this orchard out of organic management." While there are many causes for flare ups of a pest population, it begs the questions, 'when were treatments applied?' and 'which treatments in the spray program had the greatest effect on the pest population'?

Sprayer Calibration

Wednesday Mar 05, 2025

While the WSU-DAS system focuses on using pest and disease phenology to properly time pesticide sprays, it is critical that the properly-timed sprays are applied correctly. Without proper coverage, sprays will not serve their intended purpose, and growers may waste material, labor, and money, without getting the anticipated control.

Oriental Fruit Moth Monitoring Required for Export to Mexico or Canada

Saturday Mar 01, 2025

All stone fruit packed for shipment to Mexico or British Columbia, Canada must be inspected and be certified as free of oriental fruit moth (OFM). OFM must be monitored with traps from first adult flight throughout the season.

Oriental Fruit Moth Management in Washington Orchards

Saturday Mar 01, 2025

While Oriental fruit moth (OFM) has been a concern for Washington stone fruit growers for decades, infestations of this pest have only been noted in organic apple orchards in the lower Yakima Valley over the past few years. In 2017, damage from this pest showed up with a vengeance in several Washington orchards, most notably in sweet cherry and organic apple orchards in and around the south-eastern edge of Yakima County. While significant losses were noted in organic apples, the economic impact of the damage identified in cherry is currently unclear.

How Does Codling Moth Mating Disruption Work?

Friday Feb 21, 2025

Mating disruption dispensers work by releasing synthetic pheromone which prevents or delays males from finding females, thus reducing the reproductive rate of the population. Now is the time to decide which dispensers to place in the orchard so you have enough time for ordering and to organize your work force.