The Gypsy Moth is a destructive insect pest in West Michigan. It often takes a firm foothold in communities and neighborhoods throughout our area. It is a serious problem to our trees.

Gypsy Moth caterpillars hatch from their egg masses in mid to late Spring. It is best to treat them at this time. Once the caterpillars grow to full size, two to four weeks after hatching, they are more difficult to control.

(Caterpillar)       (Adult)

Gypsy Moth caterpillars feed on a wide variety of tree species and can spread very quickly. Their feeding in the Spring, coupled with the speed and quantity of foliage they can attack, make them our most destructive insect pest.

Along with the infestation of your trees, the Gypsy Moth also poses a problem with the mess they create from their droppings and the presence of the insect itself. In heavily infested areas, the caterpillar and the residue they leave behind can make play areas, patios, decks and yards intolerable and unusable.

We recommend a program of timely sprays with biological insecticides and/or an injection. When possible, we prefer to spray early in the season when the insects are in their larvae (caterpillar) stage. Tree injections may be used to systemically introduce chemicals into the tree.  These materials move through the sap system to the leaves where the insects are feeding.

Although sprays and/or injections assist in the control of this pest, it should be realized that complete eradication is not possible. It will, however, help decrease the defoliation during infestation. Other tree care practices such as; proper pruning, fertilization, and removal of the egg masses can help to minimize the effects of the Gypsy Moth. The healthier a tree is, the better it is able to withstand and recover from these infestations.