Yuck! These gross worm-filled webs appear every spring on my apple tree. After doing some research, I found that these critters are tent caterpillars. The adults are actually moths that lay eggs on the branches in the summer. The eggs overwinter and in early spring the little buggers hatch. The spin a silk tent for protection and only leave at night to feed on my poor tree. After about 5-8 weeks they migrate down the trunk where they pupate in the leaf litter.
Okay, now that I know the life cycle of the tent caterpillar how the heck do I get rid of 'em? I could use a pesticide. Nope, don't want to do that. So my only other option is to be brave and knock 'em out of there. I used the handle of a rake to break open the webs. Since the webs were so sticky I had to wind it around the handle and pull most of it down. Then my kids and I stomped the life right out of 'em. Any caterpillars that were left were snacks for the birds. Not the neatest way, but quite effective.
Please post if you have had experience with these nasty critters. How do you get rid of them?
No comments:
Post a Comment