Tree Infestations With Webs
Pest control is of critical importance when growing trees or any other types of plants. Recognizing the tell-tale signs of an insect infestation and exercising effective control measures is key to saving your trees before damage inflicted by the insects becomes critical. If you notice your tree is covered in webbing, for example, this usually indicates that webworms have taken up residence in your tree. Does this Spark an idea?
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Webworms
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Webworms are problematic for a wide range of susceptible host tree species. The adult female webworm moth travels to host trees in the spring and lays egg masses consisting of 400 to 500 eggs in the tree's foliage. To protect her young, the moth covers the egg masses in white hairs. Upon hatching, the larvae feed on tree foliage and begin constructing webbed nests in the tree until they abandon the tree to overwinter inside cocoons on the ground.
Tolerance
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Though webworms are pervasive across a wide range of susceptible hosts, many experts stress tolerance of webworms when you observe them in your tree. The webbing can be an eyesore for ornamental trees, but since webworms only feed on tree leaves, they are incapable of causing long-lasting damage to host trees. All but the most frail of trees will outgrow webworm feeding damage with next spring's foliage.
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Natural Control Methods
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If you wish to remove the webworms for aesthetic or any other reasons, pruning off branches with webs will remove the webworms while not damaging the tree in any way. Burning the webs themselves will quickly disintegrate the webs and release them from the tree branch; this may also disrupt the webworm's life cycle and compel adult webworm moths to find a different host tree that can provide more suitable breeding ground. This latter option is much more dangerous, however, than simply pruning off the webbed branches with pruning shears or loppers.
Chemical Controls
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Several chemical insecticide formulations can also be used to control webworms in trees. Dormant oil sprayed on the tree while it is still in dormancy will kill overwintering eggs before they have a chance to hatch and begin feeding on the tree. Insecticides containing malathion will also kill webworm larvae on contact. Always purchase an insecticide that is safe for use on the specific species of tree that is infested and that is labeled specifically for webworm control. Always follow labeled application instructions exactly.
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