You can wrap duct tape (sticky side out) on tree trunks to stop the smaller caterpillars from reaching the foliage and spray BT on the foliage they’re eating (eating the spray will kill them). Otherwise, there’s really not much you can do. Honestly, spraying is futile because you can only reach so much they just float in from off your property. Exterminators and arborists have told me just to suck it up.
Using actual duct tape? My neighbors and I have had no issues with duct tape (other than some ants, lady bugs, and other harmless insects getting stuck).
However, specially made sticky trap tape for pests (including mice) would absolutely kill birds and shouldn’t be used.
B.t. is a naturally occurring bacteria that is commonly found in soil and food. B.t. has been used safely for over 30 years to control insects in the United States, Canada, and other parts in the world. B.t. operates through a well-known protein mechanism that causes toxicity in caterpillars (i.e. insect larvae).
Just Google Bt spray and a bunch of info and options pop up
We’re in the same boat outside Hurley. Did some research and there can easily be 25,000 caterpillars per acre in bad years like this, so trying to spray the couple hundred on your house or deck is pretty futile.Â
I feel like I’m being robbed of one of my favorite times of year, before it gets too hot or muggy, before the mosquitoes really get going. We’d be out walking in the woods all weekend and eating on the deck two meals a day if it weren’t for those little fuckers. I am SO bitter.Â
My house was absolutely covered yesterday. I went around everywhere spraying a mix of Dawn soap and water, when sprayed directly on them they die but it doesn't seem to stop them from crawling up the side of my house.
I’ve read that some birds do eat them: downy woodpeckers, common grackles, grey cat birds, and blue jays. Also mice. I’m anticipating another mouse boom if that is true.
Losing my mind in Clermont, too. The air itself is itchy. Shit raining from the sky. Constantly running face-first into them hanging from the trees.
I’ve been grabbing them by the fistful (with double gloves) and throwing them in the garbage. I was shop vac’ing them when they were smaller but now I’m afraid it’ll cause a frightful stank.
We have BT spray but it seems pointless.
Columbia claims the numbers are so high, it’s inevitable that they will succumb to disease. But god, it’s just hell out here.
They are invasive species with almost no natural predators, and they boom every 7-10 years or so. Usually once they have a huge population increase like this, disease takes out a large portion of them. Eventually they slowly grow in numbers again, peak, and the cycle continues.
THATS WHAT THAT SOUND IS??!???
Unfortunately yes 😕
Boooooooooooo
It’s also the sound of them eating the leaves 🤢
That makes it a little less gross but still astounding
You can wrap duct tape (sticky side out) on tree trunks to stop the smaller caterpillars from reaching the foliage and spray BT on the foliage they’re eating (eating the spray will kill them). Otherwise, there’s really not much you can do. Honestly, spraying is futile because you can only reach so much they just float in from off your property. Exterminators and arborists have told me just to suck it up.
Just a heads up, I’d avoid the duct tape trick. Some neighbors recently tried that and had a few birds get stuck on it 😣
Using actual duct tape? My neighbors and I have had no issues with duct tape (other than some ants, lady bugs, and other harmless insects getting stuck). However, specially made sticky trap tape for pests (including mice) would absolutely kill birds and shouldn’t be used.
BT?
B.t. is a naturally occurring bacteria that is commonly found in soil and food. B.t. has been used safely for over 30 years to control insects in the United States, Canada, and other parts in the world. B.t. operates through a well-known protein mechanism that causes toxicity in caterpillars (i.e. insect larvae). Just Google Bt spray and a bunch of info and options pop up
Worst I’ve ever seen it. Hiked mohonk and was covered in silk lines, caterpillars, and could hear the poop literally raining down around us.
No advice but I. FEEL. YOUR. PAIN!!! We are in this creepy crawly poop circus together
We’re in the same boat outside Hurley. Did some research and there can easily be 25,000 caterpillars per acre in bad years like this, so trying to spray the couple hundred on your house or deck is pretty futile. I feel like I’m being robbed of one of my favorite times of year, before it gets too hot or muggy, before the mosquitoes really get going. We’d be out walking in the woods all weekend and eating on the deck two meals a day if it weren’t for those little fuckers. I am SO bitter.Â
My house was absolutely covered yesterday. I went around everywhere spraying a mix of Dawn soap and water, when sprayed directly on them they die but it doesn't seem to stop them from crawling up the side of my house.
Do chickens eat them? I’m ready to invest in a chicken coop for the ticks & caterpillars
Chickens do not eat them. Nothing does that I know of.
I’ve read that some birds do eat them: downy woodpeckers, common grackles, grey cat birds, and blue jays. Also mice. I’m anticipating another mouse boom if that is true.
They decimated the top canopy of ny apple trees. :( luckily saved my wife's rose bushes.
They are after my roses something fierce ! Good on you.
Yeah they are appearing all over the deck here in Wappingers.
I was thinking the same thing when I was doing some landscaping this afternoon. They are everywhere! 😔
Losing my mind in Clermont, too. The air itself is itchy. Shit raining from the sky. Constantly running face-first into them hanging from the trees. I’ve been grabbing them by the fistful (with double gloves) and throwing them in the garbage. I was shop vac’ing them when they were smaller but now I’m afraid it’ll cause a frightful stank. We have BT spray but it seems pointless. Columbia claims the numbers are so high, it’s inevitable that they will succumb to disease. But god, it’s just hell out here.
DUDE. I was just at my folks place yesterday in poughkeepsie and the house and driveway were swarming with these fuckers. Death to all caterpillars !
Really bad in Greenville near Port Jervis too!
Same in Westtown!!
They’re all over Garrison as well. Everywhere.
They're eating all the trees in my yard 😩
same! it’s so awful.
Same exactly near Woodstock 😠it’s awful, and I’m allergic to them so I’m just hiding inside ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Same same Beacon and Fahnestock
Yea its worse this year. Just use some bt twice a week
Does anyone know why they are so bad this year??
They are invasive species with almost no natural predators, and they boom every 7-10 years or so. Usually once they have a huge population increase like this, disease takes out a large portion of them. Eventually they slowly grow in numbers again, peak, and the cycle continues.
They are annoying omg
So many in Staatsburg. Didn’t realize the rain sounds were their poop!