How to Make Sure There Are No Bugs in Apples: A Complete Guide

January 6, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the USDA, an estimated 10-30% of apple harvests can be lost due to insect pests, making it critical for both home gardeners and consumers to know how to make sure there are no bugs in apples. From careful inspection to post-harvest cleaning and storage methods, securing a bug-free fruit is achievable for everyone.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical steps for inspecting, cleaning, and storing apples to prevent pests like codling moths and apple maggots. It covers visual inspection for damage, the most effective washing methods, and long-term storage strategies. Practical tips for handling infested fruit and improving garden hygiene are also included.

Key Points

Thorough Inspection: Look for tiny entry holes near the stem, small bruises, and winding brown trails beneath the skin.
Wash with Baking Soda: Soak apples in a water and baking soda solution for 12-15 minutes to effectively remove surface residues and external pests.
Never Soak in the Sink: Use a clean bowl to soak apples to avoid cross-contamination from bacteria and other germs.
Practice Orchard Hygiene: Regularly collect and destroy fallen, infested fruit to prevent the pest lifecycle from continuing.
Consider Peeling for Absolute Certainty: Peeling the skin is the most certain way to remove internal pests, but it sacrifices beneficial nutrients and fiber.
Protect with Fruit Barriers: Home gardeners can use orchard sox or bags to prevent pests like codling moths from laying eggs on developing fruit.

Inspecting Apples for Signs of Bugs

The first step to enjoying a bug-free apple is a thorough visual inspection. Many pests leave tell-tale signs of their presence on the surface of the fruit. This process should be done both at the grocery store and before preparing to eat or store the apples.

What to Look For During Inspection

Entry/Exit Holes: Pests like the codling moth and apple maggot leave small holes in the fruit's skin. These can be tiny and hard to spot, especially around the stem or blossom end. Often, you will also see frass (insect excrement) nearby, which looks like fine sawdust.
Bruises and Blemishes: Soft or bruised spots on the apple's surface can indicate that a pest has stung it to lay eggs. This is a common sign of fruit fly infestation.
Red or Purple Spots: A pest called the San Jose scale can cause distinct reddish or purplish spots on the fruit's surface.
Deformed or Misshapen Fruit: Damage from aphids or other bugs feeding on young fruit can lead to misshapen growth.
Winding Trails: For apple maggots, the damage is internal, but you might notice faint, winding brown trails just beneath the skin, giving them the nickname “railroad worms”.

Proper Washing and Cleaning Methods

Even with a perfect visual inspection, some pests can be hidden or too small to see. Washing is a crucial step to remove external bugs, larvae, and residue.

The Baking Soda Soak Method

Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that a simple baking soda soak is highly effective at removing surface pesticides, which may also dislodge or kill external bugs.

To perform the soak:

Fill a large bowl with 2 cups of cool water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Stir until the baking soda is dissolved.
Soak the apples for 12 to 15 minutes.
After soaking, scrub the apple's skin gently with a clean produce brush or cloth under running water.
Dry the apple thoroughly with a clean paper towel or cloth.

Why to Avoid Soaking in a Sink

While a soaking method is effective, using a clean bowl is key. A study mentioned on Simply Recipes suggests that kitchen sinks can harbor bacteria and germs that could contaminate your fruit. Soaking apples directly in the sink could transfer these contaminants.

Long-Term Prevention and Storage

For those with apple trees or those buying large quantities, prevention is the best defense. Several strategies can help you enjoy a bug-free harvest for longer.

Garden Hygiene and Tree Care

Clean Up Fallen Fruit: Pests like the apple maggot and codling moth overwinter in fallen fruit. Regularly picking up and disposing of dropped apples is one of the most effective ways to break their lifecycle.
Beneficial Insects: Encourage natural predators, such as lacewings and ladybugs, which prey on aphids and other pests. Planting flowers that attract these insects can create a healthier garden ecosystem.
Physical Barriers: For home growers, protecting developing fruit with physical barriers like orchard sox or bags can be highly effective. These prevent adult insects from laying eggs under the fruit's skin.

Comparison of Cleaning and Prevention Methods


Method	Best for...	Effectiveness	Pros	Cons
Visual Inspection	Initial check at purchase or harvest.	Varies; misses hidden pests.	Quick, easy, and requires no tools.	Not foolproof; some damage is internal.
Baking Soda Soak	Removing surface pesticide and external bugs.	High for surface-level issues.	Scientifically supported, uses common household ingredient.	Does not remove internal pests. Requires soaking time.
Salt Water Soak	Drawing out small insects and cleaning produce.	Good for drawing out some bugs.	Simple, uses common ingredients.	Less evidence for full pesticide removal compared to baking soda.
Tree Clean-Up	Long-term prevention in an orchard or garden.	High for reducing next year's population.	Sustainable, prevents recurring infestations.	Requires consistent effort, may not stop all pests.
Fruit Bagging	Preventing pests from laying eggs on fruit.	High on a smaller scale.	Chemical-free, protects individual fruits.	Time-consuming for large trees, not practical for bulk grocery purchases.
Peeling	Eliminating internalized pesticides and pests.	100% for external and internal pests.	Most effective way to remove all concerns.	Removes beneficial fiber and nutrients found in the skin.

Conclusion

While no method provides a 100% guarantee without cutting the fruit open, a multi-layered approach offers the highest chance of ensuring your apples are bug-free. Start with a careful visual inspection, then use an effective cleaning method like the baking soda soak. For growers, long-term prevention through proper tree care and sanitation is key to a healthy harvest. For the ultimate assurance, especially with store-bought fruit of unknown origin, cutting the apple open remains the gold standard, though it forfeits the nutritional benefits of the skin. Ultimately, combining vigilance with proven cleaning and preventative measures is the best strategy for enjoying crisp, clean, and bug-free apples.

Authoritative Link

For more detailed information on apple pest identification and management, a trusted resource is the Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks, which provides detailed descriptions of apple pests and their lifecycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common bugs found inside apples are the larvae of the codling moth and the apple maggot. These appear as small, worm-like creatures tunneling through the fruit's flesh.

Washing an apple under running water will remove external dirt and some surface pests, but it cannot remove any larvae that have already burrowed inside the fruit.

For maximum safety, any apple with a visible bug hole should be cut open and inspected. While you can cut away the damaged areas, it's safer to discard the apple if a significant portion of the flesh is affected.

To prevent bug infestations in your backyard apple trees, focus on garden hygiene by removing fallen fruit, using protective fruit bags on developing apples, and encouraging beneficial insect predators.

Organic apples might be more susceptible to pests since they are not treated with synthetic pesticides. However, dedicated organic growers use preventative measures to reduce pest issues.

The best way to store apples is in a cool, dark, and humid location like a cellar or crisper drawer. Wrap each apple in newspaper to prevent ethylene gas from affecting others and regularly check for spoilage.

Yes, this is true. A single rotten or infested apple releases ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening and decay of other apples stored nearby. It is crucial to separate any damaged or spoiling fruit immediately.