General Purpose

• General-purpose sprays for pest control on fruit trees are widely available. They can be purchased at any garden store and at some superstores' gardening aisle. These bug sprays are a mixture of chemicals used to prevent the most common infestations of insects, mold and bacteria. General-purpose sprays are convenient to use and cost-effective. However, you may want to consider that because these fruit tree sprays contain multiple pesticides that your trees may not require, you could be increasing your exposure to chemicals unnecessarily.
  
  

Supplemental Sprays

• The University of New Hampshire's Family, Home and Garden Education Center explains, "The proper use of supplementary spray materials can increase the yield of usable fruit." Supplemental sprays, although less convenient than general-purpose bug sprays, can deliver nutrients and treat pests specific to your fruit trees and reduce the number of chemicals you and your fruit trees are exposed to.
  
  

Types

• Bacillus thuringiensis is used to treat leaf-eating caterpillars. Imidan is used on many fruit trees against gypsy moths, Japanese beetles, maggots and other pests. Sevin can be used on all fruit trees and treats a wide range of pests. Ferbam is used to treat fruit trees for diseases such as peach leaf curl and black rot in grapes. Thiram can be used on fruit trees to prevent molds and other diseases.
  
  

Dormant Oil

• Dormant oil bug spray is a refined petroleum product diluted with water. Dormant oil is so named because the spray must be applied in the brief time after the fruit trees' dormant period but right before they begin to bud. The best time to use this bug spray is a week before the fruit trees' buds open. It is effective in killing mite and aphid eggs that have been with the tree throughout the winter.
  
  

Health Considerations

• Many of the pesticides used in bug sprays for fruit trees are toxic and can be hazardous to humans. Insecticides work against the central nervous system, which results in death to relatively small insects but can also have detrimental effects on a human's nervous system if they are exposed to large enough amounts. Some of these chemicals are cumulative, building up to dangerous levels in the body's tissues over time. It is important to know which chemicals you are handling and to understand the safety recommendations for each.
  
  

Organic Alternatives

• As awareness has grown regarding the health risks and environmental impacts of traditional pesticide fruit tree sprays, market demands for organic insecticide-free fruit have increased. Farmers and home growers alike are seeking natural nontoxic bug sprays as an alternative. There are several brands of organic bug spray available and can be found in garden centers or through an Internet search. Organic bug sprays can also be made at home using common pantry items.