What you Need to Know About Gypsy Moths
By Mike Perri, The Davey Tree Expert Company
Gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated thousands of trees in Toronto last year, creating a symphony of chomping and leaving behind a mess of droppings.
To combat the infestation, the Toronto Urban Forestry staff implemented control measures in 2017. Because of their successful efforts, the city will focus on treating individual trees, instead of doing widespread aerial spraying, in 2018.
But keep in mind that only city trees are covered by this treatment plan. That means homeowners are responsible for protecting their own trees from gypsy moths.
What are gypsy moths?
Gypsy moths are an invasive pest that was first spotted in Ontario in 1969 and are now well …show more content…
While oaks are their favorite, they’ll also eat the leaves of alder, aspen, birch, hawthorn and willow trees.
While a tree may survive one season of defoliation, it will become weaker and more susceptible to damage from other insects and diseases.
Pests such as canker diseases and certain borers can take advantage of stressed, defoliated trees.
How can you protect your tree from gypsy moths?
Eggs, expected to hatch in early May, can be destroyed on sight. While egg mass removal reduces the number of caterpillars, it will not stop the pest entirely.
Well-timed insecticide treatments may be necessary. In addition, trees should be fertilized to improve their ability to recover from gypsy moth damage and watered during dry periods to prevent additional stress.
Tree bands can also be added in late May. These sticky wraps trap female gypsy moth caterpillars as they hike up and down your tree to lay their eggs. Also, the natural pheromones of the trapped females will attract males as well.
The combination of egg mass removal, insecticide application and installation of sticky bands will go a long way in reducing injury level to high-value landscape trees. After all, an ounce of prevention goes so much further than no prevention at
By Mike Perri, The Davey Tree Expert Company
Gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated thousands of trees in Toronto last year, creating a symphony of chomping and leaving behind a mess of droppings.
To combat the infestation, the Toronto Urban Forestry staff implemented control measures in 2017. Because of their successful efforts, the city will focus on treating individual trees, instead of doing widespread aerial spraying, in 2018.
But keep in mind that only city trees are covered by this treatment plan. That means homeowners are responsible for protecting their own trees from gypsy moths.
What are gypsy moths?
Gypsy moths are an invasive pest that was first spotted in Ontario in 1969 and are now well …show more content…
While oaks are their favorite, they’ll also eat the leaves of alder, aspen, birch, hawthorn and willow trees.
While a tree may survive one season of defoliation, it will become weaker and more susceptible to damage from other insects and diseases.
Pests such as canker diseases and certain borers can take advantage of stressed, defoliated trees.
How can you protect your tree from gypsy moths?
Eggs, expected to hatch in early May, can be destroyed on sight. While egg mass removal reduces the number of caterpillars, it will not stop the pest entirely.
Well-timed insecticide treatments may be necessary. In addition, trees should be fertilized to improve their ability to recover from gypsy moth damage and watered during dry periods to prevent additional stress.
Tree bands can also be added in late May. These sticky wraps trap female gypsy moth caterpillars as they hike up and down your tree to lay their eggs. Also, the natural pheromones of the trapped females will attract males as well.
The combination of egg mass removal, insecticide application and installation of sticky bands will go a long way in reducing injury level to high-value landscape trees. After all, an ounce of prevention goes so much further than no prevention at