@@eismaildds1 It is not organic… 😂 I went nuclear. The below was what I sent a friend: I did find treatments that worked well to control them but if you have many wild trees near you or if you have a bunch of neighbors nearby that are growing fig trees, it will be harder to control. Despite the treatment working well, I wouldn’t treat again unless the BFF was getting out of control. The quality of the caprified figs was significantly better so I would work to monitor for any signs of BFF and remove the affected figs and attempt to control the population that way instead of spraying. Killing off the wasps was really a huge downside for me and I didn’t enjoy the figs NEARLY as much If you do choose to spray, here’s what I did. I bought these online from DoMyOwn.com Demon Max and D-Fense. I can’t remember the application rates but I believe it’s on the bottle. I started spraying as soon as I noticed them but I should have started spraying as soon as the first figs reached fine size. I sprayed every 2 weeks and alternated so I sprayed once a month with each type. I sprayed all the tree. If I noticed fresh holes on figs where the larvae had dropped recently, I sprayed the ground as well
Gosh darn it. I just got into figs. One reason is because I was growing raspberries and there is a relatively new fly affecting them too with worms in the fruit: Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). They haven't messed with my blackberries yet thank goodness.
We have problems with Spotted Wing Drosphila in our plums. After reading a Cornell study on hummingbird predation of fruit flies this year we hung hummingbird feeders in the orchard. So far it has helped a great deal!
Good Morning Eric - So what is the off-label treatment they use in Europe to treat BFF? Also, have you noticed a decrease in the fig wasp population in your area due to BFF?
Compared to the local populations from other wild, untreated trees, it seems like the treatments are helping but it is too early to tell. I am using deltamethrin and cypermethrin alternated every 2 weeks
@@figsandchocolate5553 Thanks for the tip. I don't have that issue at the present, but if/when it comes along, I'll give it a try. I had one more quick question - I am going to trying using a different potting soil for up potting instead of the standard wood based compost with other nutrients added. I know you like to use King's Gold. I'm thinking of using "Top Pot" which is sold out of a nursery in Laguna Hills, CA. - or possible mix my own to reduce my costs. It's comprised of sand, pumice, peat moss, perlite, and charcoal. It's supposed to hold up longer as a base for potted trees, with less collapse, and better oxygenation of the tree. Of course you'd still feed your tree as usual. Your input would be appreciated. Thanks
@@michaelmekjian4344 That sounds like an awesome potting mix and I am sure that it will work just fine. I have tried many different ones and I chose King's Mix because I have easy access to it and I really like the blend but I have had great results with other mixes as well.
@@Antizyklisch Hi! I did find treatments that worked well to control them but if you have many wild trees near you or if you have a bunch of neighbors nearby that are growing fig trees, it will be harder to control. Despite the treatment working well, I wouldn’t treat again unless the BFF was getting out of control. The quality of the caprified figs was significantly better so I would work to monitor for any signs of BFF and remove the affected figs and attempt to control the population that way instead of spraying. Killing off the wasps was really a huge downside for me and I didn’t enjoy the figs NEARLY as much If you do choose to spray, here’s what I did. I bought these online from DoMyOwn.com Demon Max and D-Fense. I can’t remember the application rates but I believe it’s on the bottle. I started spraying as soon as I noticed them but I should have started spraying as soon as the first figs reached fine size. I sprayed every 2 weeks and alternated so I sprayed once a month with each type. I sprayed all the tree. If I noticed fresh holes on figs where the larvae had dropped recently, I sprayed the ground as well
