Gypsy moth caterpillars
by
Peg
+5
How can you rid of gypsy moth caterpillar "nests"? They are all over my niece's trees and garden. And also getting close to inside her home. YUCK!
8 answers
-
We had a big farm and we used to cut them off and burn them. Best way to do it and eco friendly!
Kimberly Thomson
on May 17, 2015
-
You might also want to spray the trees and bushes with Bacillis Thuringiensis. It is an organic insecticide that is specific for worms and caterpillars. Sold under the trade name, Dipel.
Catherine Smith
on May 17, 2015
-
We always torched them
K
on May 17, 2015
-
It's a very icky job...but with a hand-held torch....have at it.
Leslie C. Ross
on May 17, 2015
-
When they got near around and on the house, we sprayed the with a mixture of dish soap & water & it killed them.
Karen
on May 17, 2015
-
there are lots of remedies but I have to agree cutting them down and burning them is really the best, cleanest most efficiant. We did the natural pesticide and ended up with dead gypsy moth bodies everywhere which was gross, The torch is horriffic to watch because they emerge and try to escape terrible to see. I prefer to cut them down and quickly place them into a well established fire so they are gone quickly. I hate killing anything even these annoying critters so I try to make it quick.
Lee Cunningham Green
on May 17, 2015
-
THANKS EVERYONE!
Peg
on May 17, 2015
-
Look for gypsy moth eggs in the winter and early spring. The egg masses are tan, about 1 inch in diameter, and may be found attached to tree bark or objects that are outdoors year-round. Gypsy moths lay eggs in the summer and the eggs hatch the following spring. 2Spray the nest of eggs with a horticultural oil spray formulated for gypsy moths when the temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The spray will be premixed in a sprayer bottle and can be purchased online or at a garden store. Saturate the eggs with the spray, preventing them from hatching in the spring. 3Scrape egg nests into a container of water mixed with liquid detergent if you do not have horticultural oil spray. Use a paint scraper or other thin-bladed tool to scrape the eggs, taking care not to damage the bark. Hold the container of water under the eggs and ensure no eggs fall on the ground where they will hatch the next spring. 4Leave the eggs in the container of soapy water for at least 48 hours, at which time the eggs can be disposed of in the garbage. Things You Will NeedHorticultural oil sprayThin scraping toolLiquid detergentContainer TipDon't step on the eggs to kill them, some of the eggs will survive.Don't count on a winter freeze to kill the moth eggs. According to the University of Wisconsin Extension, the eggs will survive in temperatures as low as minus 20 F.
Molly Moo
on May 17, 2015
Sign Up to Answer
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
