Gypsy moth caterpillars can cause significant damage to hardwood trees found in backyards and urban areas. As summer approaches, pests become more active and can cause problems around the home. Unfortunately, the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar is among the insects that can cause significant damage around the home if not treated.
While Gypsy Moth Caterpillars are notorious for consuming large quantities of plants and leaves in agricultural and wooded areas, they have become a growing concern in neighborhoods where they can quickly wreak havoc on a landscape. Below are some tips on how to identify and control these pests, as well as how to prevent them from returning.
Identification
The Gypsy Moth Caterpillar becomes active in the caterpillar stage where they feed on plants. The caterpillar can grow up to 2 inches long with five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots running down their back, and they are also hairy. The adult hairy moths have a 1-1/2 – 2 inch wingspan and gray for males and white for females. Despite both sexes having wings, the female moth doesn’t fly.
Life Cycle of the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar
The female Gypsy Moth lays a batch of eggs and covers them with body hairs for insulation and protection from predators. The female moth dies soon after laying the eggs, and they survive the winter until they hatch in the spring. The small black-headed caterpillars climb to the tops of trees, where they feed on the leaves or dangle from silk strands and float in the wind to colonize new trees. The caterpillars have a total of five to six instars and feed from late April through mid-June.
How to Control Them
Maintain cleanliness in your yard by removing any dead branches, stumps, or areas that a female moth may use to lay eggs. Destroy any egg masses found in your yard. The Gypsy Moth Trap is a helpful tool for keeping track of the moth population and may help keep male moths away from females. Tanglefoot Pest Barrier can be wrapped around tree trunks to prevent caterpillars from getting to the canopy. You can use either Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki or Monterey Garden Insect Spray (Spinosad) to eliminate Gypsy Moth Caterpillars by spraying the leaves of trees. The best time to apply the spray is when the caterpillars are young, less than one inch long. In cases of severe infestation, two or more applications, five days apart, may be required. AzaMax is a concentrated spray that interrupts insect growth and development, repels insects, and acts as an antifeedant. It’s safe to use and won’t harm beneficial insects like honey bees. As a last resort, use natural insecticides that have fewer side effects and break down rapidly in the environment.
How to Prevent Them
Using insecticides is the most effective way to deal with these unwanted pests around your home. Supreme IT is a broad-spectrum insecticide that has been approved to treat over 70 pests, including Gypsy Moth Caterpillars, with a long-lasting residual effect that can ward off pests for up to 90 days after application. To apply, calculate the square footage of your lawn and mix one gallon of water with 0.125-0.25 fl. oz. of Supreme IT to treat every 1,000 square feet. Apply the solution to the entire lawn and garden, working from the back towards the front. Spray ornamentals and landscaping, but avoid spraying on fruit-bearing trees and flower gardens. Spray Supreme IT three feet up and three feet out from the foundation of the construction to keep pests out. After application, wait for the treated areas to dry before allowing people or pets to enter. To prevent re-infestation, spray Supreme IT in your yard every three months, particularly during the spring and fall seasons when pests are more likely to emerge.
Conclusion
In summary, controlling and preventing Gypsy Moth Caterpillars from infesting your yard is critical for maintaining the health of your trees and lawn. Regular cleaning, treatment, and preventative measures can help keep your yard safe from these unwanted pests.
Feel free to share your experience and thoughts on tackling Gypsy Moth Caterpillars with us.