When Do I Need To Be Concerned About Browntail Moths?

For Maine homeowners, browntail moths can be a serious concern. While these pests cause the most noticeable issues in the warmer months, the key to effectively managing them is taking action during the winter. Why? Winter is when you can spot their webs, and tackling them before spring can save you from a season of tree damage and health concerns, including respiratory issues and skin irritation.

What are browntail moth winter webs?

During the winter months, browntail moth caterpillars hunker down in silken webs they create in the branches of hardwood trees like oaks, apple trees, and birches. These webs are about the size of a baseball or softball, densely woven, and are often located at the tips of branches. Inside, dozens or even hundreds of caterpillars lie dormant, waiting for the weather to warm up.

Spotting these webs can be tricky if you’re not looking closely, but identifying them is crucial for controlling the browntail moth population. Each web has the potential to release hundreds of caterpillars in the spring, leading to increased exposure to their toxic hairs and further tree damage.

Why are browntail moths a risk?

Browntail moth caterpillars aren’t just bad news for your trees but also a health hazard for your family and pets. Here’s why:

• Toxic hairs: The caterpillars shed microscopic hairs that can cause severe skin irritation and rashes. If inhaled, they can also cause respiratory issues. These hairs can remain in the environment for years, making areas of your yard or garden hazardous.

• Tree damage: As the caterpillars emerge and feed in the spring, they can defoliate trees, weakening them and making them more susceptible to other pests and diseases.

• Widespread infestations: If left unchecked, browntail moth populations can quickly grow out of control and become a recurring problem yearly.

Why treat browntail moth webs in early spring?

While spotting webs in winter is the first step, treating them in early spring, before the caterpillars leave the trees, is best. Here’s why timing matters:

• Containment: When caterpillars are still inside their webs, removing and destroying them is much easier, preventing them from spreading toxic hairs and infesting your property.

• Reduced risk: Once caterpillars emerge, their hairs become airborne, increasing the risk of exposure. Treating infestations early on minimizes this risk.

• Tree health: Eliminating caterpillars before they start feeding can protect your trees from defoliation and long-term damage.

How to manage browntail moth webs

Managing browntail moths starts in the winter. The Maine Forest Service recommends following the four Rs highlighted in this blog post . For winter webs you cannot access yourself, or to ensure the extermination of the entire population, contact Pine State Pest Solutions for effective browntail moth control (more on this service in a moment). 

Stay ahead of browntail moths this winter

While infestations in previous hot spots, such as Yarmouth, Brunswick, Freeport, and communities further up the Midcoast, are not expected to be as bad this year, other areas aren’t so lucky. If the amount of winter webs in trees west of Lewiston and around the Sebago Lake region is any indication, it could be a rough year. Hebron, Oxford, Paris, Norway, Poland, Bridgton, Naples, and Standish are just a few places where those webs are taking over tree branches. 

By identifying winter webs and addressing them before caterpillars leave the trees, homeowners can significantly reduce the risks posed by browntail moths. Don’t wait until the caterpillars start causing problems, though—take action now to protect your home, your family, and your trees.

Professional browntail moth control 

For expert browntail moth control, Pine State Pest Solutions is the company to call. And now is the time to call! We’ll start scheduling BTM assessments soon so we can be ready to treat in the spring. Our browntail moth control services include:

Tree micro-injections
This specialized treatment injects a targeted solution directly into trees, where it is absorbed by the trees’ vascular systems. It ultimately kills browntail moth caterpillars when they feed on the foliage. This method is ideal if your property is within 25 feet of an ocean, lake, pond, or another water source. 

Tree spraying
Using organic bio-pesticides, our licensed applicators will render a spray treatment that is lethal to browntail moth caterpillars but virtually non-toxic to mammals, birds, and beneficial insects. We also offer vehicle-mounted spraying for properties with an acre or more of trees. 

Contact Pine State Pest Solutions to schedule your assessment today! 

For protection against browntail moth caterpillars, we have the solution for you; simply give us a call or complete our online form! 

This blog originally published April 01, 2019; it has been updated to reflect the most up to date information about browntail moth caterpillars and areas affected.