Adjam5 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I spent the good part of 2 hours today lopping off branches that have silk tents in them from caterpillars. They don't seem to be as bad as last year, but they are all over and killing all the little trees I planted a few years ago. A neighbor suggested wrapping the base of the trees with tin or aluminum. He said that will prevent them from climbing the tree. I'd like to spray, but I have berry bushes(blue berry, black berry and raspberry) all over that would get the over spray. I'd like to avoid that and chemicals if I could. Anyone else having a caterpillar problem this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Cant help you bud, but when I was a kid I liked to put the muzzle of a .22 up to those nests and pull the trigger. Wont solve your problem, but cattipillar guts can be comforting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 I did spray. I will continue to spray because when the tent caterpillars get done, the japanese beetles will begin. I use a spray called "Seven" and it is very effective. These critters will kill trees. If not the first year then the second or third year of defoliation. And boy do they love cherry trees! What you have there is the Forest tent caterpillar. There is another one that you will often see right alongside of these called the Eastern tent caterpillar. That one is just as destructive. If your trees are saplings, you may be able to keep ahead of these guys by manually picking them off and squashing them. If the trees are bigger than you can reach, spray is really the only answer. Doc I spent the good part of 2 hours today lopping off branches that have silk tents in them from caterpillars. They don't seem to be as bad as last year, but they are all over and killing all the little trees I planted a few years ago. A neighbor suggested wrapping the base of the trees with tin or aluminum. He said that will prevent them from climbing the tree. I'd like to spray, but I have berry bushes(blue berry, black berry and raspberry) all over that would get the over spray. I'd like to avoid that and chemicals if I could. Anyone else having a caterpillar problem this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 We used to use a propane torch to burn them and the tents. You have to be careful to not burn too much to damage the tree. It is easier than picking them off one at a time. Its not the best idea out there but it does work some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 You need some BT. http://www.homeharvest.com/bt.htm Completely harmless to everything except caterpillars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted June 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Why thank you Chris... I will have to try that stuff. I will pop in at Tractor supply, if not I know where to order it. Thanks again. I will look at that product "seven" too Doc...Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Sevin is some good stuff, but I thought you said you didn't want over spray on your blueberries? BT only affects caterpillars. Sevin kills darn near anything, and you have to be careful about ingesting fruits and vegetables once you spray with it. There's recommended lapse times between spray and consuming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 WOW..thats the pits...LOL Sevein will thin out your fruit if you are past blossums..Id go with Malathion, and you wont have as much carry over on the fruit Its about $46 per gal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Why thank you Chris... I will have to try that stuff. I will pop in at Tractor supply, if not I know where to order it. Thanks again. If Tractor Supply does not carry it, try a Ace Hardware if you have one close by. They have access to a Caterpillar Killer that the active ingrediant in it is B/T. Ace stock # 7198328 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 and the info is a flowing on in... Thank guys! Yes Chris, I do not want to get any over spray on my various berry bushes. The berries are almost right under the infected tree line. So it sounds like Sevin is NOT what I need. BT sounds more like the cure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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