It's no secret that dealing with pests in the backyard is part and parcel of being a gardener. It can be a nuisance to see curious critters takeover your carefully curated planting and cause damage. Among those pests are gypsy moth caterpillars, also known as spongy moth caterpillars, who like to munch on foliage.
Just like , it's important to get rid of these pests if you want to keep your trees and shrubs healthy and safe. Luckily, there are a few methods to get rid of these caterpillars, such as using . We've spoken to experts to find out more about the damage these pests cause and how to get rid of gypsy moth caterpillars for good.
One sign that you have gypsy moth caterpillars in your yard is if your tree and shrub leaves have holes in them where these critters have taken a bite. 'Gypsy moth caterpillars can cause significant damage to plants, especially trees. They are voracious eaters and can defoliate entire trees, leaving them vulnerable to disease, drought and other stresses,' says , pest control expert and founder of First Saturday Lime.
'Their preferred hosts are oak, apple, birch, and willow trees, but they will feed on many other types of plants as well,' she adds. Similar to how plants are affected by a , your woody trees and shrubs are a target for spongy moth caterpillar damage. That's why it's important to know how to get rid of them to protect your plants.
Jana is a garden and pest control expert. She is founder of First Saturday Lime, an eco-friendly pest .