GYPSY MOTH PROBLEMS CAN BE ADDRESSED BY HOMEOWNERS

As our area is a mix of pine and oak forest ... in recent times our woodlands have been inflicted by gypsy moth infestations that have most damaged oak trees…one of their favorite feeding tree species. It is in the caterpillar stage (and there are 4 caterpillar stages) that the insect does the most damage. In the 3rd caterpillar stage the insects tend to reside in tree tops and the pattern of destruction appears shot gun like in terms of holes in the tree foliage.

It is in the final 4th stage that the caterpillars eat entire leaves in late May and June and the leaf loss becomes most obvious. In addition, the caterpillars at dawn tend to crawl down tree trunks in this stage to find new feeding and hiding places. This is when they often are seen crawling up furniture and on the side of homes. June is the time when massive defoliation can appear appalling as late stage caterpillars feed voraciously.

The banding of trees can be a most effective manner of saving trees. For the most part trees have to be severely damaged two or more years in a row to kill the trees. Barrier banding around the tree trunks are successful often in preventing caterpillars from reaching the leaf canopy of trees from the ground. These bands should be put in place in April. There are also what are called ‘hiding bands” that should be placed on trees NOW – in early June to be most effective. These bands trap the insects and need to be removed daily…or every other day with gloves.

Sex attractive traps have been shown to be ineffective for home-owner control of Gypsy Moths. The spraying of insecticides like (12.5 WP, Marlate, Orthene, Sevin and B.t. can be effective too. It is not recommended that sides of homes be sprayed however and the spay can be dangerous to other flora and fauna…it may well be too late for spraying by home owners NOW.

Mullica is not participating in the aerial spraying program this year...and GadFly supports the decision to NOT spray this year made by THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5 AKA IDIOTS R US...yes, at times even IDIOTS get it right. Clearly some areas of Mullica and Atlantic County have a gypsy moth problem this year and home owners are left to their own to address the problem. An intensive neighborhood tree banding program can be most effective where the problem exists this year and residents should ban together to save their trees.

While too late this year, GadFly notes that egg mass remediation next year should be done…masses removed and destroyed before April when egg hatching begins should be done. Gypsy Moths favorite tree species are, oak, sweet gum, linden, willow, birch, apple, alder, boxelder and hawthorn. Keep in mind that deciduous trees usually can tolerate up to 50% defoliation without serious effects. It is repeated defoliation that can be fatal. It is not too late to take action this year to mitigate damage.