Pest Management Grapes have few insect pests, but many diseases. The grape berry moth, native to New York State and always close by where it feeds on our common wild grapes, is our worst insect pest. It can be controlled without spraying pesticides by the use of pheromones which disrupt mating and decrease egg laying. Alternatively, infected fruit can be picked off the cluster and discarded. One or two insecticide applications can fully prevent damage if desired.
Major diseases are powdery and downy mildews, and black rot.
Concord grapes can tolerate these diseases with minimal control but other varieties need more frequent fungicide treatment. Contact your local extension office for information on appropriate pesticides for specific problems. Some varieties of grape can be grown in New York using organic growing techniques. Your local extension office can assist you in selecting organic fertilizers and pesticides. With many grapes, birds and raccoons need to be controlled as the grapes ripen.