How Do Worms Get Into Apples

We love apples in the summer, especially the small bitter green apples. After awhile the apples seem to get worms, how do these worms get into so many apples on a tree. Do the bird pecks in apples cause worms, is it an insect problem or what?

The codling moth is usually the cause of worms in apples. Larvae that remained dormant and hibernated during the winter in spring turn into adult codling moths. These adults lay their eggs and the larvae that emerge will burrow into apples. The larvae will eventually leave the apple, spin a cocoon, and change into an adult. In warmer climates there can be up to 3 generations in which the process cycles again for another generation during the same season. Usually the last generation right before winter the larvae will leave the apple and instead hibernate -- usually under the bark or around the base of the tree. When spring arrives again the cycle repeats.

Now the bad thing about codling moth larvae is that it is very difficult to spray since they are inside the apple. You really have to monitor the cycles. To have the biggest impact you have to break the mating cycle or kill off the worms before they get into your apples. The best time to make such an impact is early spring. Breaking this first cycle can really reduce cycles later in the season.

I have apple trees that are now having brown worms about an inch long on it. What can I do to stop these with out pestisides? Thanks