Is Bagging Apples Worth it?

I bagged my apples this spring, using organza bags, to see if I could naturally reduce insect damage. There were mixed results and I will describe what happened and what I will do next year to have better results.
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[@Warriorhk]

I bagged apples myself this year. Net bags(Amazon) and tried some from Clemson University that were paper bags. Here in NW Louisiana we get way to much rain for paper bags, then slowly disintegrated. Also purchased a box of sock footies made from nylon hose material. I like the little socks as they do grow with the apples and also block a bit of the color from insects. So they are not attracted to the color as much. Seemed to help. Happy growing!!

[@gardenwiseadventures]

I like the idea of the footie socks!

[@LoizidesGeorge]

Thanks for sharing !!
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[@gardenwiseadventures]

Thank you!

[@vistaprime]

We usually have a 100% coddling moth rate in our apples. Can you tell me the ideal time to place bags over apples to protect them from the worms. As soon as the blooms drop or is it better to wait until the apples start to form. We are using the similar organza mesh fruit protection bags you used which allow full sunlight through, plus rain and air. But we want to time this perfectly so the blooms are pollinated and spent and not enough time for moths to have laid eggs. Can you provide some guidance to me on this. thanks

[@gardenwiseadventures]

I've found it's best to get the bags on once the fruit is the size of a dime. Any later and the moths already are in the fruit.

[@vistaprime]

@@gardenwiseadventures thanks. good to know.

[@NoVaCitrusGrower]

So, I don't think you mentioned at what size the apples should be when you SHOULD be bagging them.

[@gardenwiseadventures]

The original size I got was 5 x 7, which worked for the smaller apples and all the pears. I switched to 6 x 9 for the apples so the larger ones wouldn't get stuck.

[@NoVaCitrusGrower]

OK, maybe I wasn't clear. Not concerned about bag size. What size do the APPLES need to be before you start to bag them? In other words, at what size are the small apples when they become vulnerable to coddling moth worms?

[@gardenwiseadventures]

Sorry about that! The apples should be quite small. You will want them bagged before the apple maggots have a chance to appear. I usually bag them as I am thinning them. If they are bigger than a dime, then sometimes it's already too late.

[@UtahSustainGardening]

Hey, keep the cats out of this!

[@gardenwiseadventures]

Can't help it! They are into everything! 🤣🤣