When will these web worms leave my tree in Dallas?
Question:I hate these things - they are gross and leave their waste everywhere. Do I have to wait for them to take over an entire tree to leave?
Answers:
They won't just leave.
We had to burn them.
That being said, you don't burn down the entire tree. We took a torch light from the yard and lit the web on fire. The web is not a conductor, so once the web is gone the fire is gone. Beware though: fallling bag worms are disgusting.
Trust me--they will NOT just go away. You have to get rid of them or they will just continue to multiply.
Love the last one, burn the house down to get rid of the mice approach! There are a number of steps you can and should take to cure your problem. As a manager for a University with over two thousand trees I know of the angst you feel.
The first thing you need to recognize is that you will need an insecticide to get things under control. Once under control you can use other non-chemical agents. The chemical you are looking for is a liquid application of Sevin. You need to spray the entire tree from top to bottom, every leaf, every limb, and the trunk. In addition spray the base of the tree from the trunk to the drip line (outer leaves) of the tree. Do this per manuf directions for dilution and in the evening when the temps do not exceed the manuf recom. The way to know you are getting Sevin* is to check the back of the container and/or simply ask.
Chemical intervention always has people nervous. This compound is safer than most when handled properly. Use the right amount and protect yourself. Sevin is found in most dog and cat flea collars (check for yourself) and also used as ear clips for insects on cows! For over fifteen years I have used this product weekly and through blood test and other inspections my doctor finds me fine. One application will not harm you or the environment. Keep children and pets away from the area until it dries. Once dry it effects the insects but begins to disinegrate in toxicity with hours.
Get yourself a Superior/Dormant Oil spray for an application when the temps are going to be below 80 for three or more days. This is essentially non-toxic and apply it again to the entire tree. This will kill any residual larvae by suffocating them. Again follow the manuf recom rate carefully.
This spray has different rates for spring and summer applications. The spring application (prior to bud break) is most effective. I eliminated the varmit from all my trees using the Spring Oil, one Sevin, and a Summer Oil, in two years.
If you do not wish to use the Dormant/Superior Oils try using this. Spray the plant with a solution of 1tbls of Pure Ivory Soap Liquid Detergent (non-scented) per gallon of water. Again spray either the Oil or the Ivory at dusk/night as that is when they are active. Safer and Bayer offer non-chem
sprays, however, what can be cheaper than a cheap soap?
It is of the utmost importance that you understand that trees and shrubs that are attacked suffer damage. This will make them available to other pest and problems. Remove, ASAP, any visable damage done. Thin out the limbs and dead growth in the fall. Purchase an appropriate fertilizer for your tree and shrubs nearby (granular or spikes not liquid!) and use it in the fall and mid-spring next year.
This may be a year and a half to two year project of spray control. The fert should be a yearly project. Healthy plants that are feed and pruned resist such problems (well they tend to). Good Luck. I am at gjgjobs@yahoo.com.
The short answer is they will continue to come back until you kill the colony. Use a pesticide sprayer that hooks to a garden hose and spray the nest and also will not hurt to spray the whole tree. Also the nest may move to a nearby tree so it will not hurt to spray the surrounding area. Then watch the same area next year and repeat if they show up again. Try to catch them early in the year. Good luck.
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