I appear to have a serious issue with oriental fruit moth on my peach tree/peaches. Unfortunately, the all-in-one fruit tree sprays that I have purchased at Home Depot/Lowes have not taken care of the situation as I've been spraying per the instructions since spring. Any advise as to how I should proceed so that this will not occur again next year? By the way, the tree is probably 10 years old and is in great condition.
I've asked a fiend of mine, who's had the same problem as you have in the past, about controlling these moths Chiropod. Here is what they told me: "There's a synthetic sex pheromone which can be released in high concentrations. It works by confusing the male Oriental fruit moths so that they can't locate a female to mate. This control method, known as mating disruption, has proven effective on my peach, apple trees and apricots." Maybe your local garden centre or nursery can tell you more about this product.
peach tree I will contact my local garden center, however there must be a better insectide to use in conjunction with the pheromone?
Use permethrin from your local feed store or TSC. Even in low concentrations ( I use about 1/2 oz. or less per gallon of water + a squirt of dish soap so it will stick to the leaves ) it seems to work for most insects. I have used it in my garden and on fruit trees for those critters that are hard to control.
Tractor Supply Company, they are located in most areas of the country. I buy it where I buy my horse feed. Lowes or Home Depot may have it. I buy the kind that I mix myself rather than the premixed spray so I can control the amount used. It is what I use for fly spray for my horses, and flea spray for the dogs. It is commonly used in greenhouses and nurseries to control insect infestations as well as dairy barns ect. In my opinion it is about the safest and most effective insecticide I have found.
