Time to kill caterpillar eggs

[Maya]

I know we've talked about our favorite ways to kill caterpillar nests, but the best way to kill them is now. I was thinking about it while pruning this week. As you are pruning keep an eye out for egg clusters and crush them! Any time is a good time when you see them, but you are actively up in the trees now pruning, so keep an eye out.

http://images.dnr.state.mn.us/assis...esthealth/ftc/ftc_lifecycle_WinterEggMass.jpg

 

[CrazyEd]

Thanks George. I know you have tons and tons of trees. Do you run across many of these nests while pruning each year? I'll have to look over my trees good when I prune. Thanks.

 

[Maya]

A couple each year Ed, not a lot. Mostly at the tops of the trees on smaller wood. I don't inspect, but just try and think about it a little. Hopefully I get a couple and it cuts down on the caterpillars. I found one so far out of 40 or so big trees pruned. I have found some while picking in the fall too.

 

[John-W-WI]

I'm not a huge fruit tree guy (I have a few), but this is completely new to me. I keep an eye out for and kill the "tents" I see in trees around the farm. But have never even known to watch for egg masses.

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep my eyes out for them.

-John

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Maya - are the egg masses easy to spot ?? I know what gypsy moth egg clusters look like. Are apple eaters' egg masses camouflaged at all ??

 

[Maya]

Bows, click on the link I provided, that's what they look like. They blend in more imo, but they both need to go.

 

[Maya]

http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/ornamentals/Eastern_tent_caterpillar.asp

Another link with pics and info.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Thanks, Maya, for the links. I never even noticed the link you posted in the first post - I was tuned in to the directions to be on the look-out for egg masses while pruning ....... :oops:.....
Sorry about the " miss " !! ( kinda makes you wonder about my " vision " while hunting - doesn't it ??? ) :oops::(

 

[aerospacefarmer]

Wow it seems based on those first pics that it would be hard to see while pruning. Guess I need to pay more attention. Seems no one is out pruning today. A lot of posts here. What's the matter you guys afraid of -25 wind chills. It's 1.2 degrees here and blowing 30 to 35 mph brrrrrr. Wish I had my rootstocks already I would be done today if I did.

 

[Maya]

It's 74 next to the woodstove!

 

[aerospacefarmer]

Warm for sure but I bet you are bored lol. That casino not too far away is sounding like a good idea lol

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Yep - I have the woodstove purring right along. And yes, Aero - I don't like wind !! I can still take a fair amount of cold - but I hate wind. Gotta be cold as a witch's tit up in Brad-Co. I'll be feeding the fire for another day or 2 and putting out shelled corn and birdseed for my critters. Next week's 38-42 sound like picnic weather !!! :)

 

[aerospacefarmer]

Yes looking forward to spring also. I think it was -4 last time I checked. It's also 49 in the cabin even though the thermostat is set at 57. It can't keep up