Holes In The Skins Of Apples

Q: I planted two apple trees in 2017, specifically a Fuji and a Honeycrisp. Each year they have grown bigger and stronger. Every year my apples get all eaten up. The holes in the skin are about a quarter-inch deep and wide. This year, the trees are loaded with apples, but I have started noticing the same thing as prior years. 

A: Holes that big are caused by creatures with a mouth that big – in other words, caterpillars. The best way to control them is to hit them while they’re small. There are organic products that contain a bacteria called Baccillus thuringiensis, often abbreviated as Bt. Spray now, and follow label directions in the future.