Daily gardening tip · Northern hemisphere · Thursday 15 October 2026 · mid autumn
Wrap Grease Bands Around Apple Tree Trunks
Mid autumn is the right time to trap wingless female winter moths before they climb your apple trees to lay eggs.
15 minuteseasypests
Clear any tall grass or debris from around the base of the tree trunk.
Measure a strip of grease band paper to fit tightly around the trunk, about 45cm above the ground.
Cut the band to size, allowing a small overlap at the ends.
Wrap the band firmly around the trunk with the sticky side facing outwards.
Secure the top and bottom edges of the band tightly with twine so insects cannot crawl underneath.
Why it works
Wingless female winter moth adult moths emerge from the soil in mid autumn and crawl up fruit tree trunks to lay eggs in the branches. The sticky grease band creates a physical barrier that traps the moths on their way up, preventing caterpillars from hatching in spring to eat your leaves and young fruit.
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