Q&A – How do I get my severe webworm infestation under control?
Question:
I am renting a home that has three pecan trees, all of which are infested with web worms. One of the trees so infested, the webbing encases the trunks of the branches all the way down to the main trunk of the tree. The trees are sickly. My landlord will not agree to remove the trees nor will he treat them. What are my options for getting this infestation under control?
Answer:
The trees are large and so it is impossible to remove the webs or spray the trees. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond recommends using systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid. Systemics are applied to the ground around the trees, the trees take up the insecticide and spread it to all the leaves and branches. The webworms, when they feed on the tree, will die. On smaller trees, UT County Director Walter Battle recommends removing the webs or using BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) or Sevin at the right time of year to kill the worms. Once the worms have built the webs the insecticide can’t get to them.
Related Resources:
Fall Web Worm
Fall Webworm
I am renting a home that has three pecan trees, all of which are infested with web worms. One of the trees so infested, the webbing encases the trunks of the branches all the way down to the main trunk of the tree. The trees are sickly. My landlord will not agree to remove the trees nor will he treat them. What are my options for getting this infestation under control?
Answer:
The trees are large and so it is impossible to remove the webs or spray the trees. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond recommends using systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid. Systemics are applied to the ground around the trees, the trees take up the insecticide and spread it to all the leaves and branches. The webworms, when they feed on the tree, will die. On smaller trees, UT County Director Walter Battle recommends removing the webs or using BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) or Sevin at the right time of year to kill the worms. Once the worms have built the webs the insecticide can’t get to them.
Related Resources:
Fall Web Worm
Fall Webworm