How to Use Paint and Lime to Kill Webworms in Trees
Webworms, also known as tent caterpillars, are common in the Southern states. They cover a tree's branches and leaves in webs, which stifles the plant's growth but provides the webworm and its larvae with a safe home and food supply. Webworms are nearly impossible to kill once they are big enough to spin their webs, according to North Dakota State University Extension. Webworms begin growing in the spring and will have covered a tree's branches in webs by the fall. To avoid this, spray your trees in early spring to prevent them from getting bigger, eating your trees leaves and causing catastrophic damage to your tree. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Lime sulfur
- Water
- Pressure pump
- Long stick
- Protective clothing
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Dust mask
- Paint
Instructions
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Purchase and use the lime sulfur in the early spring before the tree leafs out. Do not spray the sulfur if the temperature is higher than 85 degrees F.
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Put on protecting clothing -- long-sleeve shirts, pants, gloves, goggles and a high-efficiency dust mask.
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Mix the lime sulfur with water in the pressure mixer by adding water to the powder mix and pumping the handle. Use the manufacturer's instructions to determine how much water to add.
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Use a long stick to break open the webworm nests. This will make them more susceptible to their predators, such as caterpillars and birds, as well as the lime sulfur.
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Position yourself so that you are spraying into the wind and not against it. This will prevent the spray from drifting back on you.
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Spray the trees until the leaves are wet.
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Watch the trees over the next weeks to see if the webworms are dying. Continue breaking web nests with a long stick to encourage birds and caterpillars to eat the larvae.
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Mark the trees that had specific problems with a band of paint around their trunk. This will help you remember which were the problem trees that may need to be sprayed next year.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase lime sulfur at most garden supply stores.
Do not ingest the lime sulfur, as it can be poisonous. Contact a poison control center if you notice any irritation.
Do not spray sulfur in the direction of animals for other plants.
References
- Photo Credit apple-trees blossom image by Nikon'as from Fotolia.com
