With recent dry and warm weather, tree pest caterpillars are beginning to feed on leaves in areas of the city with a high density of elm trees. To combat this, crews are working to protect the tree canopy.
“The Tree Pest Caterpillar Control Program works to reduce populations of spring and fall cankerworms and other pest caterpillars,” said David Wade, Superintendent of Insect Control.
This season’s program will treat boulevards, parks, and cemeteries where we’ve noticed large populations of the sticky, green pests. You can spot an infested tree by the holes in its leaves.
“If left unchecked and untreated, a large population of tree pest caterpillars can completely defoliate a tree,” said Wade. “The trees will survive, but it will take about three weeks for them to re-leaf.”
Weather permitting, crews work each night. They are in a slow moving trailer with mounted high pressure sprayers. They target areas with the potential for significant defoliation.
You can find out where our crews will be by checking our spraying schedule. If your street is scheduled for treatment, we asked you to please park your vehicle off the street if possible.
We use an approved biological insecticide won’t harm other living things like birds and other insects. Our operations typically last about a month.
osted on June 11, 2020.