I know, it’s kind of lame that I would get excited that the tree man showed up at my house today. But he’s my favorite guy at this time of year, because he keeps us from being inundated with Buck Moth caterpillars every spring.
See this mean looking little guy? That’s a Buck Moth caterpillar. Not only will he munch on the leaves of your oak trees, he packs a punch in those little spines. Touch one and you’ll quickly find yourself in pain and probably with a whelp to show for it too. If they stayed in the trees it might not be so bad (for me anyway – the tree might disagree), but they have a tendency to drop right out…into the yard and onto unsuspecting people.
flickr photo credit: mullica
If you’ve been stung before, you’ll understand why I was happy when the guys from Tree Man Inc showed up today. In the past, they have sprayed our trees each spring. The downside to spraying is that we would worry about overspray onto vehicles and pets AND it could only be done once the caterpillars were present.
Each year, I’d bring the dogs inside and move my car down the street while they were using huge spray wands to coat the leaves (and caterpillars). If my neighbors didn’t spray as well, then we would still see some of the critters as they migrated over to our trees after the spray wore off in about 3 or 4 days.
Starting this year, they have a very cool new injection application and they were kind enough to explain it to me when I interrupted their work.
First, several small holes are punched in the tree, leaving behind little grommets. I was a little concerned about this at first, but was informed that it’s not a deep hole and doesn’t do any harm to the tree at all.
Next, the tree is injected with the magical stuff that makes caterpillars disappear. (OK, that’s not the scientific explanation, but it’s the end result). Because it’s not a topical application, the tree is resistant to the caterpillars for a much longer time and it can be treated before they make their first appearance.
Now, even if some of those bad boys migrate from a neighboring yard over to our trees we are still protected. While nothing is 100%, I feel better knowing that it won’t be raining creepy, crawly, stingy bugs in my yard.
If you want to get your trees treated, now is the time to do it. Contact the Tree Man and tell him West Bank Living sent you :)
For information about home buying or selling on the West Bank of New Orleans, or relocating to or from NAS JRB New Orleans, please contact the West Bank Living Team. It would be our pleasure to have the opportunity to welcome you to our community, assist you with any of your real estate needs and have a little fun while doing it!
Originally published at West Bank Living
Lisa - interesting information this little critter ..... I tend to stay away from things with points as they are there for a reason and usually not a good one for the person on the pointy end.
Lisa, Those Buck Mouth Caterpillars don't sound like any bug I want to run into - ever! Especially if they drop on you uninvited!! LOL.
Cool... I hate stingy bugs. And I think I'd be pretty annoyed at having them drop out of the trees and sting me. Something would HAVE to die...
Lisa, I always think of caterpillars as warm, fuzzy little transformations!! I guess not down there---I'm glad they have a system for removing them and that you were able to get it done.
Lisa, what a great post. We have huge oak trees but we don't have the critters. I guess our weather is the reason? Or maybe it's because they opted for the frangipani instead? We have very similar caterpillars all over our frangipani. I've been meaning to google it and find out more about them. Thanks for the head start. =)
Thanks for the comments everyone! I really, really, really, don't like these caterpillars and if the trees are not treated we'll find them in the grass, on the driveway, on the car and dropping from the trees. I'm serious when I say I love my tree man :)
Lisa, we have issues in our Myers Park Oak trees and it is with those little worms that come out every Spring...call it Myers Park's dirty little secret....All the Oaks have bands around their trunks, trying to ward these little demons off!
Lisa, great spot light of a local expert. Trees are far too precious to trust to some fly by night person! I have used and referred the same Tree Company here in Austin for years!
Jane, what kind of worms are they? Do they damage the trees?
Russell, love, love, love my tree man. It's so important to have an expert - these trees are decades old and I don't want them damaged.
I always liked caterpillars, but never came across any like these. The injections are probably much more efficient and eco-friendly ... and I wouldn't be surprised the Tree Man gets a lot busier after this post!
Lisa i have had the pleasure of being stung not once but twice by these pests. Yes they don't feel to pleasant.
John N., he's a great guy, so I hope he does!
John W., many years ago my neighbor told me that if you get stung, put plain old toothpaste on it to draw out the sting. It really does work!
Lisa, I've been stung a time or two by these caterpillers -- it really burns -- something you don't forget. Glad there's a 'treatment' now to keep them away.
Judy, I've been stung too...no fun!