How to kill tent caterpillars?
Question:How do I get rid of the tent caterpillars in my trees?
Also, can I do it without harming the tree? Some of them are fruit trees.
Answers:
The best way, is to cut out the nest. Cut the branches around it, and get as much of the nest as you can. Cutting some branches will hurt the tree much less than the caterpillars will.
These guys are tough. Best way, after you cut out the nest, is to burn it. If you try to dispose of it any other way, a few will escape and just make more nests.
Good luck, email me if you need more info.
Burn the nest. If the tree is alive and the burn controled to just the tent, your tree should be fine.
There is a product that only affects caterpillars. Bacillus something. It's a disease that kills them shortly after they feed. Read the labels at your garden center. I've used this on cherry trees (tents love them). Spray the tree and the tent. The caterpillars will eat the sprayed leaves and become infected with the disease which paralyzes their digestive system. Another- way is to get them in the morning or evening when most of the caterpillars are in the nest. If it is a low growing tree, take a large stick and pull down the nest, twisting it as you go to trap as many of the buggers as you can, then step on them. You can then squish any that may have escaped. I've also used this method and it works just fine. You may get a few escapees who will build a smaller nest, just repeat the procedure. It's best to get them before they get too big. I don't like the burning method (although it does work) because it sometimes damages the tree which may lead to other problems.
torch them with a small propane torch
More Related Questions & Answers...