My sour cherry tree is infested. What to do?

Question

We have this gorgeous sour cherry tree and the fruit looks great but when you go to eat them there are these little white maggot looking worms in the cherries. I'm located on the Canadian West Coast/Interior BC, what products can I use to stop the infestation. The research I've done points to a fruit fly, from what I read it lays it's eggs in the cherries and then the larva drop to the ground with the cherries and then become flies which then repeat the cycle, what I need is an experienced gardener's advice on specific products to use to interupt this cycle. We cut back the tree a few years ago so it hasn't had any fruit it 2 years, so hopefully the cycle has been broken, but I want to preven the fruit flies from taking over again otherwize the tree will have to be removed. Thank you.

Additionally it can't be harmful to animals because we have two dogs.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

A relatively new insecticide,
SPINOSAD, is available as Fertilome
Borer, Bagworm, Leaf Miner and
Tent Caterpillar spray. This
insecticide is derived from a bacterial
fermentation, and is the least toxic to
mammals of the available materials.
It has a residual of about 5-7 days
when applied at the highest allowed
rate. It should be used on a seven day
schedule once adult flies are active.
Spinosad cannot be applied within
seven days of harvest.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thankyou all who answered, this gives me a better idea what to ask when I go to the home and garden store.

Answer 2

Get neem oil and mix it according to the instructions on the can and spray the tree with it...it will prevent the pests from infesting again.

Answer 3

soapy water is the safest way to spray it it will kill the insects and not harm your dogs