I have been very frustrated in my attempts to use Surround to control
Curculio here in southern Vermont. I sprayed Surround 4 times in the
6 days prior to this weekend, when I had to leave the orchard for a
few days.(Why someone would schedule a wedding right at petal fall
confuses the heck out of me!) There was some rain during this
time, but not excessive amounts. The trees were a brilliant white
with a thick layer of clay built up on leaves and fruit. There are
unsprayed trees in abundance around the orchard.
Upon my return I found widespread curc damage, and even found
several of the little buggers curled up playing dead. Since I still
have apple trees in bloom I am reluctant to reach for anything which
will harm bees, although I have come to a state of moral comfort with
a single chemical insecticide spray a year. I guess I have no choice
but to sit on my hands for a few more days. Maybe I should plant a
plum tree nearby and leave them that as an offering :).