2004
Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
Spraying
tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 20th at dawn.
Read
the resident notification letter.
View the area map for spraying locations.
(use the "Back" button to return to
this page after viewing the map)
For more information on Gypsy moths,
visit http://gypsymoth.wi.gov
or 1-800-642-moth(6684)
WHAT TO DO ABOUT GYPSY MOTHS IN YOUR BACK YARD
Gypsy moths in your backyard can be a real
nuisance. At high populations, the caterpillars seem to be everywhere. Their
feeding stresses and may kill valuable trees. You won’t get rid of every gypsy
moth in your yard, but you can take some simple steps to cut their numbers.
LIFE STAGES OF GYPSY MOTHS
First, you need to know that you’ll find
gypsy moths in four different life stages, and they all look completely
different:
| Caterpillars
(larvae) hatch in early to mid-May, and feed through June. |
 |
| Pupae are
similar to cocoons, and are present from late June to early July. |
 |
| Adult moths
emerge from pupae in mid-July and may be seen until late August. |
 |
| Egg masses
are laid in late July and August and will not hatch until the following
May. |
 |
Here’s what you can do at each life stage:
STICKY BARRIER BANDS
Sticky bands catch caterpillars
as they head up into trees to feed after they hatch, or if they’ve fallen out
of the trees.
When : Early May—Late July
How:
1. On dry bark, at about chest height, wrap duct tape around
the tree. Put the sticky side against the bark. Make the strip about 5 inches
wide, and tuck the tape into the folds in the bark.
2. Smear Tanglefoot® (available at garden
centers) on the tape.
3. Check bands regularly to be sure they are not clogged
with insects or dirt. Apply more Tanglefoot® or replace bands as
needed.
BURLAP BANDS
Burlap bands catch older, larger
caterpillars. These caterpillars crawl down the tree trunk during the day
to hide from predators and climb back up as evening approaches.
When: Early June to late July.
How:
1. Cut a strip of burlap 12-18 inches wide and long enough to
go around the tree.
2. Wrap the burlap around the tree at chest height, or just
above the sticky band if there is one in place. 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.
3. Check the bands every day from mid-afternoon to about 6
p.m. Wear gloves or use tweezers to collect caterpillars, because the hairs on
them can cause a rash. You might also find and collect pupae, adult moths, or
egg masses.
4. Drop them all in soapy water (dishwashing detergent works
well).
5. Once the caterpillars and adults are dead, drain the water
and throw the insects in the trash.
EGG MASS SCRAPING
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 ½ inch long. They are
yellowish tan, and look like felt.
When: Late July to early May. It’s best to
wait until after a hard frost to allow parasites to build up. These parasites
may kill egg masses that you can’t reach. Also, it’s easier to see the egg
masses after the leaves have fallen.
How:
1. Use a tool such as a putty knife that can reach into
cracks or clean flat surfaces.
2. 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 and equipment, behind signs or anything else
nailed to trees, and even on rocks.
3. Carefully scrape the egg masses into a Ziplok®
bag. You might find it helpful to squirt water on them first to prevent
crumbling and blowing away.
4. Seal the bag and microwave it for 1 minute. Instead of
microwaving, you can also cover the eggs with a 50/50 mixture of corn or
soybean oil and water.
5. Throw the egg masses in the trash.
*Avoid handling the egg masses, because the hairs covering
them may cause a rash.
SPRAYING
Pesticides are
effective only against gypsy moth caterpillars—no other life stage. If you
decide to treat with pesticides, remember:
1. If you apply the pesticide yourself, read the label to
be sure it is effective against gypsy caterpillars, and FOLLOW LABEL
DIRECTIONS EXACTLY.
2. Insecticidal soap is readily available at garden
centers and is effective against gypsy moth caterpillars. You must collect
the caterpillars (see Burlap Bands) and drop them in water/soap
mixture.
3. If you hire someone to do the treatments, be sure to
hire a certified, licensed, reputable applicator. Do not hire an applicator
to treat any life stage other than caterpillars.
4. Don’t treat if you don’t see caterpillars. There is
no preventive treatment to keep caterpillars from coming to your trees.
PLANTINGS
Keeping trees and shrubs healthy is
the first line of defense against gypsy moths. The second line of defense is
making your yard less pleasant for gypsy moths. While the caterpillars will eat
the leaves of hundreds of species, they do have some favorites and some they
avoid. Keep this in mind when choosing new plantings for your yard.
1. Caterpillars prefer oak, crab apple and apple, willow,
aspen, birch, basswood, linden and tamarack.
2. Caterpillars avoid ash, cedar, locust, balsam fir,
pine, maple, nut trees, beech, spruce and hemlock.
Remember, it’s NOT a gypsy moth if it’s:
1. A caterpillar earlier than May or later than mid-July.
2. And adult moth earlier than July or August.
3. A white moth that flies. (Female gypsy moths are white,
but they cannot fly. Male gypsy moths are brown).
4. Building a web or "tent" in trees.
QUARANTINE
Don’t move gypsy moths!
20 counties in eastern Wisconsin are under quarantine, meaning that it is
illegal to carry items out of the area if they harbor gypsy moths. We can’t
inspect every moving van or camper, so we’re depending on you to check over
the wood or lawn furniture you take to your cottage up north, the RV you drive
south for the winter, or anything else that might carry egg masses, pupae or
caterpillars. Be a good neighbor—inspect.
The above information was provided by a brochure published by
the Wisconsin Cooperative Gypsy Moth Program. If you would like more
information or would like a color brochure please contact them at 1-800-642-MOTH
or visit their website at
http://datcp.state.wi.us/arm/environment/insects/gypsy-moth/
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