Spring isn’t the only thing in the air.

It’s that time of year—the orchard is buzzing with life, and not just from the bees. Let’s talk about the birds, the bees...and the moths.

Spring marks mating season for two of the orchard’s biggest pests: the peach twig borer (PTB) and the oriental fruit moth (OFM). Left unchecked, they can cause serious damage to both our trees and fruit. Right now, as fruit is still developing, female moths lay eggs on tender new branches. Once the larvae hatch, they burrow into the core of the leaf, causing it to wilt and die—which stunts the tree’s growth and productivity. Later in the season, these same pests turn their attention to ripening fruit, tunneling in through the stem and feasting all the way to the pit. Damage from these two pests can lead to a significant loss in fruit, something we work hard to prevent.

Fortunately, we have an effective, organic, and chemical-free way to keep them in check: pheromone disruption. Every March, our crew hangs pheromone dispensers on two out of every three trees throughout the orchard. These emitters flood the air with female pheromones, making it impossible for male moths to locate a mate. No mating means no larvae—and no damage.

The oriental fruit moth goes through five generations per year, so timing is key. After years of careful monitoring, we know exactly when the first moths take flight. We set out our dispensers accordingly, ensuring they release pheromones for 90–120 days—covering the full moth flight season, which in Brentwood typically kicks off in mid-March.

We’ve been using this technique successfully for 25 years, helping us grow delicious organic stone fruit without the use of harmful pesticides.

Here’s to another abundant season!