Tents in Trees

Bill Starr

AMERICUS — Tents in the Trees?



 



I really enjoyed camping when I was younger. There is nothing like setting up a tent and enjoying the great outdoors. In fact when I was younger I camped alongside a stream with numerous grizzly bears, and in Africa with lions just outside the tent - Well - actually I was in my own backyard, but the adventure seemed real enough.



 



I have noticed some “tents” in numerous trees throughout our area. These tents are not from adventurous outdoors men, but they are probably due to,  fall webworms or tent caterpillars. The fall webworm is most often discovered when the unsightly, light gray silken webs,  appear all over trees. Web worms enclose leaves and small branches in their nests, unlike tent caterpillars which make a smaller nest in the crotch of branches. Fall web worms are known to feed on more than 100 species of forest and shade trees. In our area they seem to prefer pecan, hickory, walnut and some maples. So what can you do about these unsightly critters. Even though the webs are unattractive the damage web worms do to trees is usually considered to be insignificant.  Control measures are usually not necessary. If you feel the need to remove these pests, simply removing the nests from the trees by pruning them out can be an easy way to get rid of them, provided the trees are small to medium sized. Do not burn the nests still attached to trees as this may do additional damage to the tree. Because predators and parasites will naturally control populations, sometimes simply opening the tents will allow birds to have free access to these tasty treats. There are also many predatory flies and wasps which prey on fall web worms.  Chemical control is usually not necessary of feasible, unless you are extremely skilled in climbing tall trees.



 



If you need recommendations for approved pesticides, call your local County Agent. Most of the time just allowing nature to take its course is the best treatment method.



 



Bill Starr



Sumter County Extension Agent



Agriculture and Natural Resources



www.ugaextension.com/sumter



229.924.4476



bstarr@uga.edu

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