Webworms are in a great number of the pear trees that line the streets in the neighborhood. It is important that each homeowner check their trees as soon as possible and start treatment before our trees are destroyed by this infestation. Please pass this information along to your neighbors.

It has been recommended that we break the webs with a wire hook so the birds can feed on the larvae, or just prune out the webs if they are small, or use a product with B/T (Bacillus Thuringiensis). Be sure to read the label for the active ingredients - "Bacillus Thuringiensis, Var. Kurstaki" should be on the label. If the variety is "Israelensis", "San Diego" or "Tenebrionis", then you have a B/T that is active against fly larvae or beetle larvae, NOT gypsy moth larvae. Follow the label instructions carefully, and don't waste your time or money if the caterpillars are over 5/8 inch long!

In the Tyler Paper published June 28, 2007, Neil Sperry wrote "...use a long-handled pole pruner to remove the webs when they are quite small. If they have engulfed entire branches use a hook to break them open . Sprays are not efficient. They are more cosmetic than harmful."