Ok Gardeners--HELP!

Hey DD,
We have them too! This past weekend we cut the limbs that had the webs/worms off of the trees. I was going to try BT, if I can find it to spray the tree for any strays that were left behind.

This is what I read:
The safe, sane—and highly effective—solution is to prune off any ‘bags’ and/or tent-like nests you can reach, and then spray the old original form of Bacillus thuringiensis on the rest of the tree while the caterpillars in question are actively eating (which is right now in most locales for bagworms and Fall webworms). Don’t worry about that panic-inducing name—most people just call this organic pest killer by its initials: “Bt”, with a letter added at the end to indicate what strain or variety it is. There are currently three different Bts, each affecting a different type of insect pest. The one that stops caterpillars—ALL caterpillars, by the way, not just ones that build little homes in your trees—is the kurstaki strain, “BTK”.

I would like to hear other methods as well!

Man, CoS! You've done your research! I read about the Bt too..will investigate it further. I just hate these things!! They love pecan trees!!

The attack of the webworms hit while I was gone. I've been out there blasting the little suckers with a stream of water to open up the webs so the birds can get at 'em. Any other suggestions...I don't wanna use chemicals..
SJ? NoHall? Mermy?

They're ugly, they're yukky, and they'll eat the leaves of a branch. Other than that, they're harmless. They will not kill your tree, even if they completely strip it (which they won't.) I have them in my pecan trees as we speak and I hardly ever do anything about it.

But if you just can't stand them and don't want to nuke 'em, do as my grandfather did. Cut the branch off and burn it. (If you can't burn it, haul it off somewhere.)

When you prune a tree, take the branch all the way back to a fork, to where it comes off a larger branch, or to the trunk. "Tipping" branches invites disease and/or insect infestation, whereas correct pruning will heal itself.

Be sure your fingers are not in the way when you prune.

Hey DD,
...which is right now in most locales for bagworms and Fall webworms...

On the other hand, if you have bagworms, which are mostly found in evergreen trees (leyland cypress, juniper, arborvitae, cryptomeria, etc.) KILL THEM. I don't care how you do it-- use insecticide or take the batturds out by hand--but don't wait. Unlike tent caterpillars/webworms, they will irreversibly damage your evergreens, and they can kill them in a season.

They're ugly, they're yukky, and they'll eat the leaves of a branch. Other than that, they're harmless. They will not kill your tree, even if they completely strip it (which they won't.) I have them in my pecan trees as we speak and I hardly ever do anything about it.

But if you just can't stand them and don't want to nuke 'em, do as my grandfather did. Cut the branch off and burn it. (If you can't burn it, haul it off somewhere.)

When you prune a tree, take the branch all the way back to a fork, to where it comes off a larger branch, or to the trunk. "Tipping" branches invites disease and/or insect infestation, whereas correct pruning will heal itself.

Be sure your fingers are not in the way when you prune.

I can't stand them! Did I say I can't stand them? They're awful! I realize they won't kill the tree, but they just generally piss me off. (It doesn't take much these days). I like the burning thing....I'd like for them to suffer.

I can't stand them! Did I say I can't stand them? They're awful! I realize they won't kill the tree, but they just generally piss me off. (It doesn't take much these days). I like the burning thing....I'd like for them to suffer.

Do it, then! We have a burn ban here from May-October, and most of the tents are too high up for me to get, anyway. But my grandfather (who I never actually met) and I fully support your decision to send the squirmy little batturds to hail.

Do it, then! We have a burn ban here from May-October, and most of the tents are too high up for me to get, anyway. But my grandfather (who I never actually met) and I fully support your decision to send the squirmy little batturds to hail.

Yeah, the height thing is a problem.....I'll let you know how it all comes out!

Yeah, the height thing is a problem.....I'll let you know how it all comes out!

Loophole: Burn 'em at night and call it a bonfire. (If you don't have a total ban that includes bonfires and campfires.)

...omg! Those suckers have been falling out of a pecan tree and one of them fell on ME yesterday!!! Burn baby burn!

...omg! Those suckers have been falling out of a pecan tree and one of them fell on ME yesterday!!! Burn baby burn!

Ewwww!! I know!!! I came in and took a big old shower! Did I mention that I hate these things?

Loophole: Burn 'em at night and call it a bonfire. (If you don't have a total ban that includes bonfires and campfires.)

I hope the neighbors don't freak out! Maybe they'll hire me to burn theirs too!

Ewwww!! I know!!! I came in and took a big old shower! Did I mention that I hate these things?

I had never actually seen them fall out of the trees before this year. I think it is so hot they want to go swimming.

...omg! Those suckers have been falling out of a pecan tree and one of them fell on ME yesterday!!! Burn baby burn!

Ewwww!! I know!!! I came in and took a big old shower! Did I mention that I hate these things?

That's why I don't bother to cut them down. If I shake the branch, I'm gonna get icky little worms on me.

I had never actually seen them fall out of the trees before this year. I think it is so hot they want to go swimming.

Well, they got a hurricane force stream of water on 'em tonight--and they started falling everywhere! Ewwwww!!!

After my encounter with the yellow jackets, I just want to know if those caterpillars sting or otherwise want to damage me in anyway.

After my encounter with the yellow jackets, I just want to know if those caterpillars sting or otherwise want to damage me in anyway.

I don't think they'll harm us...just all our pretty leaves....Did I mention that I hate these things?

I don't think they'll harm us...just all our pretty leaves....Did I mention that I hate these things?

...yes, you did. If looks could kill, you could take out the entire population in the metroplex !!!!

http://books.google.com/books?id=Ue...Ie9c&sig=vc0MIeuGKrhjooS-pY6GXpfDDYE#PPA65,M1


Destin. I've always had success with most of Jerry Baker's recommendations. Most are with minimal chemical intervention. He loves to use soapy water sprays and they do work well.

His spiked soap spray is 1 Cup of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), 2 Cups of dish soap. Add to a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer and let them have it!

Good luck

I don't think they'll harm us...just all our pretty leaves....Did I mention that I hate these things?

DD, how do you feel about tent caterpillars? Be honest.

After my encounter with the yellow jackets, I just want to know if those caterpillars sting or otherwise want to damage me in anyway.

My grandmother used to tell me that the big bumblebees didn't sting. I got stung by two of 'em a couple of years ago.

You can't trust insects. They're out to get us.

I had to Google these webworms that you speak of.
They look absolutely horrible. Nightmare material!!
Yucky & creepy.

Gardens Alive is a good, natural pest control catalog.

http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=8756&ss=bulls%20eye&eid=092706GA&sid=143452&gclid=CN6Ohsvq9o0CFQdqIgodeA5cMg

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=webworms&btnG=Search

I had to Google these webworms that you speak of.
They look absolutely horrible. Nightmare material!!
Yucky & creepy.

Me too JR...must be a southern insect.

...yes, you did. If looks could kill, you could take out the entire population in the metroplex !!!!

http://books.google.com/books?id=Ue...Ie9c&sig=vc0MIeuGKrhjooS-pY6GXpfDDYE#PPA65,M1


Destin. I've always had success with most of Jerry Baker's recommendations. Most are with minimal chemical intervention. He loves to use soapy water sprays and they do work well.

His spiked soap spray is 1 Cup of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), 2 Cups of dish soap. Add to a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer and let them have it!

Good luck

Oh hail! I forgot about Jerry!! I have his book. I don't typically have a lot of pest issues, but mr. dd's been using the book to deal with moles....now that's a whole other thread. Thanks!

DD, how do you feel about tent caterpillars? Be honest.



My grandmother used to tell me that the big bumblebees didn't sting. I got stung by two of 'em a couple of years ago.

You can't trust insects. They're out to get us.

:funn:

I had to Google these webworms that you speak of.
They look absolutely horrible. Nightmare material!!
Yucky & creepy.

I hate them.

Gardens Alive is a good, natural pest control catalog.

http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=8756&ss=bulls%20eye&eid=092706GA&sid=143452&gclid=CN6Ohsvq9o0CFQdqIgodeA5cMg

[URL]http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=webworms&btnG=Search[/URL]

Thanks!

DD,

Use the Bt. Spray on any good leaves that they might want to feed on. The caterpillars injest the Bacillus thuringensis through feeding. It is safe, but avoid spraying it on other plants that might be food for your desirable caterpillars.

Can also tear open webs so birds and wasps can get to the "worms". Cut out webs if reachable. I can remember taking an acetoline torch to the webs of some years ago. Gotta do that when they're in the web - not when they're out feeding. They're feeding at night most likely.

Good Luck!!

Rita

...hey Rita! Question... how do you treat a 50 + year old pecan tree???? If I spray it, that stuff will go everywhere!!! Are you finding the webworms are worse this year?