What’s the problem?

1. Health Concerns: The caterpillar’s hairs can cause skin rashes, itching, and allergic reactions in humans. These hairs contain a toxin called thaumetopoein, which can be released when the caterpillars are disturbed or come into contact with human skin.
2. Defoliation: Large populations of brown tail caterpillars can cause significant defoliation of host plants, potentially weakening or even killing the trees or shrubs.

Life Cycle

1. Eggs: Brown tail moths lay their eggs in July and August. The eggs are laid in masses on the undersides of leaves and covered with a protective coating.
2. Caterpillars: The caterpillars hatch in late summer or early autumn and overwinter as larvae. They resume feeding in the spring, usually in April or May, and go through several molts.
3. Pupation: By late June or early July, the caterpillars pupate in cocoons. The cocoons are typically spun on the branches of host plants or in other protected areas.
4. Moths: The adult brown tail moths emerge from the cocoons in mid-summer, usually in July or August. The male moths are brown with feathery antennae, while the females are larger and white with a brownish abdomen.

What can we do for you?

Direct Applications

We offer yard treatment for those caterpillars that are showing up on your deck, siding, or smaller trees.  This treatment can severely diminish the population very quickly.

Tree Injections

For larger trees and long term control we offer tree injection services.  These services not only offer a quick punch to current caterpillars but create a residual effect in the tree to stop future generations.  Annual re-inoculation is needed for optimal results.