I have had several customers bring me Tussock Moth Caterpillars they found munching on their oak tree leaves.
The creamy white hairs on the caterpillar are long and bristle-like and spread out in tufts down the sides. Two long, sharp black pencil like hairs protrude near the front and rear and these hairs are connected to poison glands, which excrete venom on contact. Contact with the venom may result in itchy irritation.
You can spray your tree with Hi Yield Thuricide Concentrate or Natural Guard Spinosad Hose-end. Both of these products are organic and safe to use on all plants. Thuricide reacts with the cells of the stomach lining of the target pest causing them to not be able to feed within hours of ingesting. Spinosad is a contact kill, but still safe and organic for all plants.
(photo via ocala.com)
-DeAnna
Emily says
Is Spinoza harmful to dogs?
james says
Spinosad is an organic with relatively low toxicity and breaks down quickly, but as with most pesticides you should remove their toys and dishes from the area to be treated, and let the treated area dry before letting the dogs out. That said, Confortis Flea Control for dogs and cats is Spinosad in a chewable tablet. Not to say it is good for dogs, but apparently they can tolerate it to the degree prescribed to kill fleas.
Terry says
Will Thuricide or Spinosad be harmful to birds? So many warblers passing through I wouldn’t want to cause injury or death.
james gill says
Copied from National Pesticide Information Center
Can spinosad affect birds, fish, or other wildlife?
Spinosad is practically non-toxic to moderately toxic to fish depending on the species. It is slightly to moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates. However, spinosad is very highly toxic to eastern oysters. Spinosad is practically non-toxic to slightly toxic to birds, based on studies with bobwhite quail and mallard ducks. It is moderately toxic to earthworms. Spinosad is very highly toxic to bees. However, evidence suggests that spinosad has little or no effect on honey bees and other beneficial insects after sprays have dried.
Charlene says
My oak has obviously already had severe leaf damage unless some of the branches are dead from something else.How long until leaves come back?
james gill says
Maybe a month to good refoliation
Allison Carolyn says
Will these products kill my lady bugs?
james says
Thruricide will not harm ladybugs at all, Spinosad is quick to break down so you would not want to spray on ladybugs, but the area will be safe for them next day or day after.
Karina says
Is there any way to repel them instead of killing them?
james says
No practical way.
jennifer says
Have noticed green thin caterpillars on bogunvilla. What would be best for this..would a hose on product work?
james says
Dust with Dipel in the early evening. Dipel is harmless to all but caterpillars. No need to pull out the hose, measure, mix, or rinse. Concentrate on the tips, that’s where the caterpillars go first.