pears

[harryhgr]

Every year my pears have maggots in them, just as the fruits begin to form. Why?

[bigal]

This is because a moth has laid eggs before blossom-time. The caterpillars hatch, where a ready meal is waiting. Spread a ring of grease around the upper part of the stem in autumn. Apparently, the moths climb up the stem rather than fly directly to the laying point. The grease stops them getting there.