How to Control Web Worms in Ornamental Trees
Ornamental trees are an important aspect of many home landscaping plans. Planting beautiful, blooming trees around your property can add natural foliage, flowers and shade. That ornamentation can quickly grow flawed, though, with the appearance of large spider web-like formations on the leaves and branches of the tree. Caterpillars, or webworms, emerge from these web-like egg sacs to feed on the foliage of trees. While the caterpillars attack the leaves of the trees, the webs and egg sacs where they live grow cluttered and messy. Use a couple simple steps to get rid of webworms organically before they become a problem. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rake/broom
- Beneficial wasps
- Sunflowers
- Bird feeder
- BT spray
- Neem oil spray
Instructions
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Get rid of webworm formations as soon as you see them. Pull the webs and nests out of the tree using a broom or rake and step on them. As their name implies, the nests have been built by moths to hold future caterpillars. Destroy as many nests as you can to disrupt the life cycle of the webworms.
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Encourage nature. Caterpillars are the natural prey of birds and wasps. Draw wasps to the area by planting sunflowers, or buy beneficial wasps at a local nursery. Hang bird feeders to draw insect-eating birds to the area.
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Use organic pesticides like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) protein spray and neem oil, which attack insects organically without harming plants or larger animals. Spray a generous coating on the tree per manufacturer directions, and repeat as necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Although webworms are often called "fall" insects, they can appear in any season.
Webworms on your tree will cause only short-term damage. Established trees will recover.
Using chemical pesticides can damage other plants and be harmful to animals.
