Just in the past few days of warm weather, all our apple trees have broken out into massive quantities of caterpillar nests - they are not tent caterpillars, but have a similar looking nest. They are less than an inch long, kind of green with a black head, inside silk nests. Some of them are black but most are green. We've been burning most of them off with a propane torch but we'll be out there for days trying to get them all. Never seen anything of this kind of scale! We have about 25 apples trees. Wondering if anyone knows what these things are and if there is something we can do to stop/prevent them that will not impact our fruit (or wildlife) we have livestock and want to use only environmentally friendly products. I've attached some pictures :) Located in terrace, bc.
Jbobs - try this link it may give you some ideas. http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse003/inse003.htm Barb
HI I too am battling the worm apple, I will be speaking to Gordan Watmough today. He is the resident apple expert in our community. Have you found out any more? thanks
Snip on the nest areas and incinerate. The caterpillars will start to wander from the nest as they grow and they eat any leaves of anything in the surrounding areas.
As Barbara's article explains, use B.T.K. on caterpillars. It is inexpensive and can still be bought in British Columbia in 100 ml concentrate for about 15 dollars at places like Canadian Tire and Garden Centers. The Big stores have stopped selling it. (H.D., Rona etc.) It is non-toxic. You'll need the B.T.K. and a hose end sprayer and some gloves. Just wet down the entire tree if you can. It's easy and safe for humans and animals. The only thing is that the B.T.K. will kill ALL types of caterpillars. Bacillus thuringiensis, sub- species: kurstaki = BTK Note: If you have mosquitos, you can buy a different B.T. Called B.T.I. That is B.T., sub-species Israelensis
