Where populations have been very heavy or tolerance for damage is very low, however, the second and perhaps third generations may also need to be treated. Only a few insecticides are available to home gardeners for managing codling moth. The most effective material is the broad-spectrum insecticide carbaryl. It remains effective for about 28 days, but it is very disruptive to natural enemies and mites as well as honey bees. The only other option for home gardeners are the summer oils, which work by suffocating the eggs.
Oils have no residual activity but are less toxic than a broad-spectrum material.
Because they have no residual, three to five applications of oil are usually required to treat the egg hatch period, which lasts about 28 days. Oils are not very effective at controlling codling moth, and they may injure leaves or fruit if applied within 30 days of a sulfur application. A Grower's Guide to Using Less Pesticide, 2nd ed. Ohlendorf, B. 1999. The Regents of the University of California.