caterpillers. Ugg!

[seismic wonder2]

As much as I like the environment and "Natural" things....KILL THEM NOW!!!! they will de-foliate your trees and spread then kill the other trees!

You can spray an insecticide to kill caterpillars. Each product has restrictions about which plants and sites it can legally be applied. If applying to shade and ornamental trees, the label should say it is for use on shade and ornamental trees. Please read and follow label directions. Biological insecticides containing Bt, (a bacterial product made of Bacillus thuringiensis ) are recommended to use for FTC control in the backyard because of their safety and the low toxicity to non-target organisms. Bt products are only toxic to caterpillars; they do not kill bees, flies, mosquitos, etc. However, Bt products are slightly slower to act since caterpillars must eat them before they take effect. Apply Bt to the leaves of host plants not to the bark or other non-edible materials. It is most effective on young (small) caterpillars. Chemical insecticides can also be used but would normally be a second choice after Bt, due to safety considerations. Commonly used chemical insecticides contain Malathion (Malathion), acephate (Orthene), carbaryl (Sevin) or methoxychlor (Methoxychlor). These products can also kill bees and other organisms, so exercise caution when using them.

I'd go for the "Big Guns"...the problem with BT is they have to EAT IT, then it takes a day or two. If you use malathion It's almost instant gratification.

 

[PotterWatch]

What kind of bug do they turn into?

 

[wegotchickens]

seismic wonder2, do you know any product names for the inseticides that carry Bt?

I used a dormant oil spray one year and it made a great dent in the tent catipillar population, but it's too late for that now. And I had no idea these buggers were going to be so bad this year!

 

[77horses]

Quote:
A moth. Maybe something like this: http://collectingtokens.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/barred_red__ellopia_fasciaria_r4.png

 

[seismic wonder2]

Forest Tent Catipillar Moths.
\\

 

[seismic wonder2]

No, Just go into ANY nursery or plant section of Wal Mart and ask for BT for catapillars, they will point you to the right direction

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I generally like caterpillers and assorted bugs as well. I generally have a live and let live approach to it all. It just concerned me when they started multiplying like crazy AND the chickens won't touch them. They're making me nervous. My trees are really old and I have to baby them.

I stopped by the co-op and got some malathion. Again, I am usually against sprays and such, but these guys are creepy.

 

[Judy]

They are called bag worms around here. Try living on property with several 100-year-old pecan trees, which are, what, maybe 80 feet tall. There were bags all they way up. They would fill the brick walkway with their droppings til it got slippery. Aaagh. Two solutions: cut trees or move away! A wad of newspaper on the end of a long bamboo fishing pole, and a lighter work fine -- for the ones you can reach.

Get on top of the situation NOW.