In young pine trees that have not yet gained great height, they are easy enough to deal with. Pine Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa). This fine line of spots runs down the middle of the back for the entire length of the body and along each side is a blue line. Eventually a small nest becomes a huge ugly mass of crawling caterpillars and their droppings.They prefer apple, cherry, birch, oak, ash, and willow trees but lilacs, roses, and other ornamentals can also fall prey to their voracious munching. taking care not to get face or dogs too close to them of course. The band should be in the shade or you may risk killing the bark and cambium that is underneath. The smaller the nest, the less developed the caterpillars and so the easier they are to destroy. They are most visible in spring. The "bag" catches on fire and then goes out as soon as the "bag" is gone. you can see the pine processionary caterpillars all huddled together at the bottom of this nest. Add your voice! I have a mature Black Walnut tree in my yard that has had nests of tent caterpillars the last three years, one each for two years and at least four this year. Once the nest falls to the ground how you dispose of it is up to you. What little I know suggests there is little effect on the health of the tree. It is also possible to use an insecticide spray directly on the nest itself but again some may be missed, cocooned as the are in their protective nest. Left untreated, the caterpillars will eventually mature enough to leave the nest where they are instantly recognisable by the way they travel. The three most common types of tent caterpillars in Canada are the Eastern tent, the Western tent, and the Forest tent caterpillar. I have two pine trees with nests up too high to reach. This will attract the moths that emerge from the ground. Check the barrier daily and add more grease if necessary. If the nest in the tree is high up and outwith your reach, even with ladders, then it is time to call in the Council. Having caterpillars infest your trees can be a worrying situation for a homeowner. They are also, but less frequently, seen on deciduous ornamental trees. Their nests are found in the crotches of branches of their primary hosts: fruit trees such as crabapple, cherry, and apple. Spraying at nighttime is probably a better bet, when many of them will have left the nest to feed, but again that brings us back to the main problem of accidentally killing other, more beneficial insects. One year there will loads of wasps, another year will be loads of ants, the next another insect species will dominate. Though barely noticeable during this young stage, they will become active as local plant life starts to grow its spring foliage. Keep your distance if you do it this way. We live in the Vaucluse and this March have cut out and burnt three nests this year. Tent caterpillars are one of the most social types of caterpillars and these are part of the moth family Lasiocampidae the main variety we … About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Tent caterpillars are readily recognized because they are social, colorful, diurnal and build conspicuous silk tents in the branches of host trees. Ace one Cat Scratcher Lounge Bed Scratching Cardboard Pad Round Shape Scratch nest, Cozy Cat Scratcher Bowl,Relaxing Bed, Durable Recycle Board Pads for Cats Under 15Ibs 4.7 out of … Those hairs can easily kill a pet, especially if they get into the animal's throat where the swelling could affect their ability to breathe. 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