Notice Spongy Moths (Formerly Called Gypsy Moths) This Year? Just Call Eric For Your Free Estimate.
JUST CALL ERIC
CT Gyspy Moth Spraying, Gypsy Moth Control, Free Gypsy Moth Consultations
Services Provided by Eric’s Tree Service, LLC
Spongy moths (formerly called gypsy moths) are making a comeback in 2022. The caterpillars emerge from their eggs in May, and they feed on the leaves of your trees throughout the Summer until they turn into gypsy moths. The fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga, is known to decrease the populations of these pests. However, this year’s dry weather has not been conducive to the growth of the fungi, creating an ideal environment for this invasive species to thrive. The south-central and eastern Connecticut areas have reached outbreak status of the spongy moth population.
Residents of Litchfield County, Connecticut, have been warned to anticipate a heavy population of these moths during the 2022 season. In 2021 alone, 45,548 acres in Litchfield County were defoliated by them, and the uptick this year may cause even more significant damage.
If you’re noticing your trees are barren and your property is inundated with caterpillars, it’s time to Just Call Eric! Spongy moths, particularly their larval caterpillar, pose a significant threat to the health of Connecticut’s trees. If left unchecked, these moth infestations can quickly defoliate trees, leaving them unable to absorb the nutrients they need to survive.
Without proper treatment by a CT licensed arborist, repeated infestations can cause tree death, leaving the tree a liability to your home and property. While oak trees are their meal of choice, no hardwood tree is safe. If you notice these moths, contact us right away. Our licensed arborist can take measures to save your trees and protect your yard from this spongy moth destruction.
Gypsy Moth Caterpillar and Gypsy Moth
Why are Gypsy Moths Such a Concern for Connecticut this Year?
These invasive defoliators will mainly target your oak trees. However, you may also see them on various other trees. They pose a severe risk to Pines and Hemlocks, which are more likely to be killed than hardwoods. Unfortunately, they will leave your tree drained of energy and weakened. While your trees can survive a year of the defoliation that these caterpillars cause, the dry weather on top of this put even more stress on the tree and cause significant damage. Some infestations are so bad that the sound of these moths chewing may be loud enough to sound like rainfall.
What Does a Gypsy Moth Do?
While the adult gypsy moth itself does not cause extensive tree damage, it is their larval state, the caterpillar, that is most threatening to trees. The moths simply continue the cycle, laying thousands of eggs up and down Connecticut’s trees. These thousands of eggs hatch into the gypsy moth caterpillar that then feeds on the leaves of the trees on a massive scale, leaving trees barren.
This process starts to choke the tree of the nutrients it needs, leading to stress and eventually the death of the tree after several seasons of this cycle. Trees that provide us shade, beautiful scenery, and property value are being lost due to the gypsy moth infestation. Do not put off spraying to eradicate this menace! Once your property is overriden with caterpillars, saving your trees may be too late, and you may be left to deal with the liability of large trees that could endanger your home.
What Should I Do?
Gypsy moths infest your entire property by spreading from tree to tree on silk threads. Reserve your spot for gypsy moth spraying before it’s too late! Eric’s Tree Service has a state-of-the-art professional sprayer to get the job done effectively and efficiently. After our spraying, caterpillars will die off within 24 hours. Moreover, our gypsy moth control is much more cost-effective than the process of removing a tree that they damaged.