 Gypsy Moth
Control
 What can I do to remove gypsy
moths?...
Why do I need to worry about gypsy
moths?...
Weed
Man, an affiliate company of Lawn Systems, Inc. provides scheduled
control of gypsy moth caterpillars during the months of May and June. It is
important to call early to reserve one of our scheduled times. We schedule
specific dates based on customer demand, and do not do this type of control
daily. When you call, we will schedule you for the next available scheduled
date.
We have a ISA Certified
Arborist on staff, to insure that your questions are answered
professionally, accurately, and promptly. |
 Why do I need to
worry about gypsy moths?
Gypsy moth
population exploded again in 2003, and populations are expected to repeat this
growth in 2004.
Several factors are
responsible:
- Mild winters
- Limited treatment time. The
gypsy moth can only be treated in the caterpillar stage, which occurs
during May and June, and sometimes extending into July.
- Properties with this pest go
untreated because the owner didn't notice them, didn't want to spend the money
to treat them, or didn't care.
The main
concern is that gypsy moths are spreading across this area at an alarming rate,
and are difficult to control. Damage to a tree from a gypsy moth is
significant to both the appearance and health of the tree.
When a gypsy
moth defoliates a tree, it takes away the tree's ability to produce food.
Depending on the stress level of an affected tree, the tree may become further
stressed or even die. Eventually, constant untreated gypsy moth damage will
likely cause enough stress over several years to kill a tree.
For more
information, please contact us by e-mail for an
estimate, or call us at (262) 675-5001.
For more
information , call the Wisconsin Cooperative Gypsy Moth Program at (800)
642-MOTH, or visit their website at
http://datcp.state.wi.us/arm/environment/insects/gypsy-moth/ What can I do to get rid of
them on my own?
There are
some simple steps you can take to reduce the impact of gypsy moths in your
area.
Effectiveness:
Limited
effectiveness. |
|
Sticky bands catch caterpillars as they head up into the trees
to feed after they hatch. Do this in early May - late June. On dry bark, about
chest height, wrap duct tape around the tree, sticky side against the bark.
Then smear Tanglefoot® (available at garden centers) on the tape. Check
regularly and re-apply as necessary.
|
Effectiveness:
Very
effective, especially in areas where spraying chemicals is not an option. Also,
professionally installed bands save you time and effort. |
|
"Bug Band" is a
new, innovative product that "traps" crawling insects as they climb trees. The
larger the tree, the larger the benefit. Lawn Systems Inc. carries and
installs this product. Please contact us for
pricing. |
Effectiveness:
Very
effective, but requires more "hands-on" labor on your part. |
|
Burlap bands catch larger, older caterpillars as they crawl
down from the tree trunk during the day to hide from predators. Do this in
early June to Late July. Cut a strip of burlap 12-18 inches wide and long
enough to go around the tree. Wrap the burlap around the tree at chest height,
or just above the sticky band if there is one. Tie a string around the burlap 6
inches from the top edge. Let the top 6 inches flop over and form a two-tiered
skirt. Check these bands every day from mid-afternoon to about 6 pm. Wear
gloves or use tweezers to collect them, drop them in soapy water. Once they are
dead, drain the water and throw the insects in the trash. |
Effectiveness:
Effective, but again requires time and labor on your
part. |
|
Egg masses contain
about 600 eggs each. Left undisturbed, they will hatch into caterpillars in the
spring. Egg masses are roughly tear-drop shaped, 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch long.
They are yellowish-tan, and look like felt. Look for egg masses on the bark of
trees at all levels, and under loose bark. Also check under porches and decks,
on wood piles, under tarps, on outdoor furniture, behind signs or anything else
nailed to trees, and even on rocks. Carefully scrape them into a container of
soapy water, which kills them.
You can also seal them in a Ziplock bag. might want
to squirt water on them first to prevent them from crumbling and blowing away.
Seal the bag and microwave it for 1 minute to kill the pests. Avoid handling
the egg masses because the hairs covering them may cause a
rash.
|
Effectiveness:
Very
effective for larger trees, and when spraying is not an option. |
|
Mauget (micro injections) are small medicine caps that are
also used for fertilization, and insect & disease control. This type of
treatment is a direct injection into the tree trunk, which acts quicker. This
method of treatment is preferred in spraying pesticides into the air is not an
environmentally-friendly option, if the applications are for trees only (not
shrubs), or if the tree has a critical problem that needs aggressive treatment.
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request an estimate online... |
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