Western Tent Caterpillar Control

If you have a normal western tent caterpillar infestation, you will usually be encouraged to leave them. While the creatures do start to damage some trees, they are usually just a nuisance and won’t create an epidemic. However, if you see a large depletion of foliage, the population size grows considerably, or there are other forms of damage, you will want to get rid of the infestation as quickly as possible.

Natural Controls Against Western Tent Caterpillars

Most populations will only stick around on your trees and shrubs for up to two years. The natural elements will encourage them to move on, leaving your trees and shrubs to recover. This is especially the case for outbreaks in the northwest. However, southwest epidemics have been noted, which is when other controls are needed.
Removal by Hand
The majority of western tent caterpillar management companies will prefer to get rid of the caterpillars by hand. Due to the location of the creatures, it’s relatively easy to get the whole infestation, especially during the early summer when most of them opt for their cocoons. Hand removal is especially common when smaller plants have become the home and the masses are small.
You only need to brush the trees to disrupt the larvae and cause significant mortality. If you are going to prune, do it sparingly to protect the life of your bush or tree.
Biological and Chemical Insecticides in Severe Cases
There are times that more severe forms of western tent caterpillar control are needed. This is the case when there is a large outbreak in fruit trees or among forests where the trees are grown for timber production. Insecticides are commonly used. While chemical options are used, biological ones are preferred to protect the life of the tree.
These options are also considered for trees where the infestation is higher up. You will need to talk to a professional company to get the best control option for your specific infestation