How To Get Rid of Tent Caterpillars in Trees

Instead of being a threat, tent caterpillars (i.e. tent worms) are more unappealing and a nuisance. Though, there are times when knowing how to get rid of tent caterpillars in trees is necessary. This article looks at how to stop tent caterpillars and how to kill them.

About Tent Worms

Tent caterpillars are very different from fall webworms. Tent caterpillars are active in the springtime while webworms are active in the fall. Tent worms make their nests in the limbs while webworm nests are at the ends of limbs. Also, fall webworms enclose foliage in these nests.

Tent caterpillars do none of this. Tent worms like fruit trees. However, they will nest in willow, maple, and ash trees too. Tent caterpillars never cause big problems. However, big colonies can drastically defoliate trees since they eat the leaves. This typically doesn’t kill trees. The trees usually grow new leaves but might make them more vulnerable to disease and other issues. Tent caterpillars might snack on other plants.

Tent Caterpillar Removal  

When tent caterpillar removal is needed, the egg cases or nests can typically be handpicked.

Egg cases can be viewed once leaves drop from trees in the autumn. Bigger nests can be eliminated by putting them around a stick or trimmed out and destroyed. The time to attempt tent caterpillar removal is early evening or morning while they’re still probably in the nest. Introducing natural enemies, like different types of parasitic wasps, can aid in reducing the number of tent worms.

How to Kill Tent Worms

Sometimes eliminating tent caterpillars means killing them. While tiny infestations could be taken care of by putting the nests into soapy, hot water, insecticides work best for bigger populations.

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most efficient. This insecticide kills tent caterpillars while being safe to other wildlife. Put spray right on the tent worm nests and foliage. Getting rid of tent caterpillars is simple if you follow these easy steps. Your trees will go back to their former beauty almost in no time at all. Contact Rochester Tree Care to get more information about eliminating tree caterpillars.

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