Gypsy Moth

Two worthwhile brochures explaining the steps you need to take to protect your oak trees from this devastating insect are available at the Mount Vernon Government Center. They are Control Options For Gypsy Moths and Burlap Banding. A third brochure on Look-a-likes can help differentiate the gypsy moth caterpillars from others.

Banding oak trees with burlap is recommended. Burlap is provided by the County with these brochures from mid-April to mid-June.

Aerial spraying is conducted by the County some years, based on the egg counts the previous fall. Before such sprayings, the Gypsy Moth Office (324-5304) sends each home a notice of the date and the safety precautions such as keeping pets indoors.

Tent caterpillars are often confused with gypsy moths. Distinguished by the large tents they build in tree crotches and the single cream-colored stripes down their backs, tent caterpillars also feed on other trees but are not as devastating because the damage they do occurs early in the spring and the trees tend to rebound, whereas the gypsy moth caterpillars can kill your oaks. The tents of tent caterpillars can be easily spotted in your trees and successfully exterminated with wasp spray. Gypsy moths do not build tents.