Thanks for the responses, after more research on the web they appear to be two different types of leaf rollers since one worm is green and the other is a light brown which seems to return later in the year. The bt sounds like the option I will go with in the future but was wondering how I will get it deeply enough in the bud opening so the worm will eat it. Also will dormant oil sprays kill this type of pest eggs overwintering since from what I have read they lay eggs on the tree. So, until the bt arrives I will just smash as many as I can find. Thanks again for your help. Doyle

You have to be fanatical here. Most all of these diversions work, but only until the birds recognize them for what they are. Cannons may work for a week (or much less). Fake owls, snakes, aluminum pie plates, mylar strips, etc. the same way. Doesn't take them long to realize that the diversion really isn't a threat. If you rotate through a number of diversions fairly quickly, each new one will keep them away for a short time, but you have to be fanatical about doing it and switch tactics before they figure out they're being gamed. This might buy you some time to get the cherries closer to being ripe. The other solution is one of numbers. If you have more cherries than the birds can eat, you'll have some for yourself. Plant 30 acres of trees, or shoot every feather you see! I occasionally blow my stack after watching trees loaded with pie cherries turn yellow on the way to red and never get ripe enough to eat and put chicken wire or a net around a tree or part of a tree.

Do you mind the kids eating the apples? Or are you just concerned about them being infested with ants and the kids eating them? Other than using a trap-like product such as Tanglefoot or the petroleum jelly at the base of the tree, I'd just let them be. There is far less concern with the kids munching down a few ants (if they have the gross factor to do so) and unripe apples than there is with them consuming insect-free apples that have been treated with pesticides. Even so-call "safe" pesticides like pyrethrums are pretty toxic if ingested soon after application and especially to children, who have a low tolerance to pesticide contamination. You do realize that ants (and other insects) are a part of the diet of numerous cultures around the world and are a decent source of protein. At the most, eating a few bugs and unripe apples would give the kids a tummy ache, nothing more. Eating pesticide treated apples could result in lot worse.

I went to the DBG Fruit Growers Scionwood and Seed Exchange today. Well, due to kids' extracurricular activities, I did not get there until 2:20pm. Only one fruit grower was still there but I picked up Norkent and some cherry plum scionwoods. It will be fun to try out those this year. I also mark down the September 16 for the fall fruit tasting event on my calender. It will be great to know more about what we can grow here.