How do I get rid of tent worms in my pecan trees - Ask Extension
How do I get rid of we
Knowledgebase
How do I get rid of tent worms in my pecan trees #844206
Asked August 04, 2023, 5:48 PM EDT
How do I get rid of we
Brazoria County Texas
Expert Response
Mr. Bartholomew,
I have assigned Boone Holladay, Horticulture agent your inquiry. Mr. Holladay should be able to make a recommendation in treating bag worms in your pecans.
I have assigned Boone Holladay, Horticulture agent your inquiry. Mr. Holladay should be able to make a recommendation in treating bag worms in your pecans.
Howdy!
While webworm presence is unsightly, this pest does limited damage to your pecan tree. For most homeowner situations, we simply recommend leaving them alone. Reasons...
1. Broad spectrum insect control products also destroy populations of beneficial insects. Pests reestablish much faster after treatment and problems can worsen.
2. Selective insecticide products are difficult to apply, timing and coverage are important. If trees are large, getting this coverage is quite difficult. Many biological products need to be applied while larvae are actively feeding, so timing is crucial and typically once you see the damage, you've missed your opportunity.
3. As we have seen this summer, as our weather dries up, beneficial insects and animals will heavily feed on these caterpillars for food and moisture and will diminish populations naturally.
For smaller trees, one can construct a long pole with a hook at the end to open up the webbing. Once the webbing is open, wasps, birds, etc. will predate upon the caterpillars.
There are lots of Cooperative Extension publications found online. A few good ones here:
https://site.extension.uga.edu/cook/2018/07/pecan-black-aphid-walnut-caterpillar-and-fall-webworm-info/
https://extension.msstate.edu/blog/how-treat-fall-webworms
For further detail on this topic or other horticulture related questions you may have, please reach out to our fantastic Texas Master Gardener Help Desk volunteers here in Fort Bend County. https://fbmg.org/contact/
Take care,
Boone
While webworm presence is unsightly, this pest does limited damage to your pecan tree. For most homeowner situations, we simply recommend leaving them alone. Reasons...
1. Broad spectrum insect control products also destroy populations of beneficial insects. Pests reestablish much faster after treatment and problems can worsen.
2. Selective insecticide products are difficult to apply, timing and coverage are important. If trees are large, getting this coverage is quite difficult. Many biological products need to be applied while larvae are actively feeding, so timing is crucial and typically once you see the damage, you've missed your opportunity.
3. As we have seen this summer, as our weather dries up, beneficial insects and animals will heavily feed on these caterpillars for food and moisture and will diminish populations naturally.
For smaller trees, one can construct a long pole with a hook at the end to open up the webbing. Once the webbing is open, wasps, birds, etc. will predate upon the caterpillars.
There are lots of Cooperative Extension publications found online. A few good ones here:
https://site.extension.uga.edu/cook/2018/07/pecan-black-aphid-walnut-caterpillar-and-fall-webworm-info/
https://extension.msstate.edu/blog/how-treat-fall-webworms
For further detail on this topic or other horticulture related questions you may have, please reach out to our fantastic Texas Master Gardener Help Desk volunteers here in Fort Bend County. https://fbmg.org/contact/
Take care,
Boone
