gypsy moth catapillars

[mazdarotary]

Hey guys,



we moved into a new home last August,and it has a very well manicured landscape from the previous owners,and I would like to keep it that way. So far I have done a pretty good job,but just within the last week or so we have been infested with gypsy moth catapillars. I am worried they are going to kill my hard wood trees. There are catapillars everywhere. What can I do now that they are here?I am sure there were things I could have done before they hatched,but that is impossible now. Any help would be appreciated.



Chris

 

[TowPro]

they will not kill the trees, but they will eat all the leaves off! I have seen it look like winter in the red oak woods I live in.



There is a defence system you put around the trunk of the trees that stop them from climbing up. Look it up and get it on now!



Also the state probably sprays for gypsy moths later in the year when they are already in the trees. It's funny, they tell the people "we are coming on Wed, put out red ballons if you don't want us to spray your property". Then they spray on Tuesday!



Also a natural defence system I have seen them using in the PA state forrest is lady bugs. I can't recall if they eat the young cattapillers or the eggs. I used to think lady bugs were cool as a kid, but at times they are so thick up in the woods you got to wear a bug hat.



Also spraying then on the ground might kill them.

Do a search on the internet, you will find more then you will have time to read!

 

[Alphacowboy]

yup, the lady bug (or asian beatle) infestation here in minnesota is almost worse than the the original problem. Supposidly they brought these beatles in to help with other insect problems as they eat the larva if I remember correctly, but the problem is now these beetles are EVERYWHERE!

 

[JSienkowski]

I used to use a mix of dish soap and water, I forget the exact ratio, spray the nests and the 'Pillars-no more problem and it's biodegradeable

 

[formula]

Chris,

I've got the same problem over in Acushnet. I was too late this season to stop them before they hatched. But I've had good success killing off the little MF's and keeping them off the house and ornamental trees. I was trying to avoid using pesticide, but it became necessary.



So far I've been using Befenthrin (Ortho MAX). You could use Carbaryl (Sevin) but it's a bit nasty. Mix up a couple of gallons in the pump sprayer and go hunting.



You'll need to think like one of those little caterpillars to kill 'em good. They go up in the trees at night and come down to hide during the daylight. They like to hide under leaves, bark pieces, shingles, the edge of the sill of your house where the concrete meets wood, under trash can lids, etc. Spray their hiding places during the day. Also, spray any ornamental trees that show signs of caterpillars. Under the eaves of the house and edges of the house roof I also sprayed. They haven't been back in days. Go prowling around the yard in the afternoon when the sun is starting to go down a bit and look for the big masses of caterpillars hanging on the sides of buildings and roof edges to maximize the kill.



You can also do things to trap them and stop them from climbing back up the trees. Wrap the tree truck about a foot wide with duct tape and smear the tape with vasoline or something else really sticky. They'll get stuck and die. You can also wrap the tree truck with burlap and go kill 'em when they go under the burlap to hide for the daytime. Another thing I've done is to make a circle of leaves around the base of the tree and spray it real well... . this kills 'em nicely when they try to go back up the tree at night.



For next season, start by collecting all of the egg sacs you can find and destroy them by burning or soaking well in soapy water for a while (I'd personally opt for the burning as it's more satisfying :-laf ) Do this by March or they'll already have hatched. Each sac can produce 1000 caterpillars Keep a close eye on the trees for the first signs of the little baby caterpillars and webs. As soon as you see 'em then spray the whole dang area with Bacillus thuringiensis. That'll take out the baby caterpillars before they get a foothold, but it does not work on the bigger ones.



Sean

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Sean good to se ya 'round man howz things?



I remember in the late 80's there was a massive infestation of the Gypsy moths (A. K. A Tent catapillar if memory serves) and it was gross. When the white globs of sticky caccoon stuff would start to beat like a heart it was time to stay inside for a week as it would rain bugs for a day or two *yuk) as they came into the world to feed.



It kinda can be tied with the locust epidemic every 15 years or so ??

 

[TowPro]

I remember in the late 80's there was a massive infestation of the Gypsy moths (A. K. A Tent catapillar if memory serves) and it was gross. QUOTE]



The gypsy moth catapiller and tent catapillar are 2 different bugs.



Gypsy Moth #ad




tent catapillar #ad




tent catapillars are the ones that build the cotton looking nest in the trees, Gypsy moth catapillers don't build a nest like that.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Gather a bunch up and take a long time for a fishing trip!

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Thanks Tow. I thought they were one and the same. My bad.