How to Get Rid of Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

This page is an expert guide on getting rid of Gypsy Moth Caterpillars from your home using the products and methods suggested by our experienced pest control specialists. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and you will eliminate Gypsy Moth Caterpillars from your house, guaranteed.

When summer arrives, there is no shortage of pests that come out of hibernation and start to create problems around a home or garden. One such pest that is becoming an increasing issue due to the damage it causes is the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar.

Gypsy Moth Caterpillars do the bulk of their damage around agricultural crops and in forests, consuming leaves and plants in large numbers. In recent years, however, they've moved onto backyards and lawns in neighborhoods where they can ruin a landscape in short time if there is no intervention.

If you have a Gypsy Moth Caterpillar invasion on your property, this DIY guide can help. Read on below for expert advice and top product recommendations to eliminate Gypsy Caterpillars quickly and affordably. 

Identification

Before you can proceed with treatment, you need to be sure that the pest you are dealing with is a Gypsy Moth Caterpillar and not some other insect. Misidentification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods and products, which can end up being a waste of time and money. Here are the some identifying characteristics of Gypsy Moth Caterpillars:

• Gypsy Moth Caterpillars are the larvae stage of the Gypsy Moth and are the only stage of the Gypsy Moth cycle that is the most problematic since that is when it feeds.
• When they are a fully grown larvae, they can reach about 2 inches in length and appear very hairy while also having a distict pattern of blue dots that appear in 5 pairs going down its back, followed by red dots that appear in 6 pairs.
• When they reach adulthood, the Gypsy Moth is a gray or white colored moth (depending on whether they are male or female) and have a wingspan of 1 to 2 inches long.
• Gypsy moths also lay egg masses that are yellowish colored and can hold up to 1000 eggs. These eggs masses are usually so small that they can go unseen on a property.

Use the description and image about to help you properly identify the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar on your property. If you are not sure, contact us and we will try to assist you in getting the correct identification.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with Gypsy Moth Caterpillars, you can move on to inspection. During this phase, you will need to find out where the Gypsy Moth Caterpillars are located and the places they are infesting. This will help you in determining where to focus your treatment application.

Where To Look

Gypsy Moth Caterpillars will most likely be concentrated outdoors where there is a garden of lots of vegetation. You should look around garden plants, on your yard's turfgrass, and especially on your yard trees. However, it's not uncommon for Gypsy Moths to be crawling around on your driveway, a car, or some other area on your property where you wouldn't expect them to be.

What To Look For

You should be looking for Gypsy Moth Caterpillars themselves or their egg masses. Gypsy Moths often leave their egg masses in the crevices of trees. When the masses hatch, the caterpillars get out and crawl up the treat to eat all the leaves. Some trees may never recover from the damage of the moths feeding habits. 

Treatment

Once you have pinpointed the areas the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar is most active, you can then move forward with applying treatment products. Make sure before you do handle any chemicals that you have on the necessary PPE in the form of safety gloves, protective eyewear, long-sleeved clothing and a particle mask.

By far the single most effective method of dealing with these unwanted visitors on your property is via insecticides. Our top recommendation for Gypsy Moth Caterpillars is Supreme IT Insecticide.

Step 1 - Mix and Apply Supreme IT

Supreme IT is a broad-spectrum insecticide that is labeled for treating over 70 different pests, including Gypsy Moth Caterpillars. It also has a long residual effect that can continue to control pests for up to 90 days after application. Measure the square footage of your lawn to determine how much Supreme IT you need to cover the entire area. 0.125 to 0.25 fl. oz. of Supreme IT with a gallon of water will treat 1,000 square feet.

Mix the product in a sprayer and spray Supreme over your entire yard and garden via fan spray to get nice uniform coverage. Spray your whole lawn starting from the back to the front. Also, spray ornamentals and landscaping, making sure to only focus on non-edible vegetation areas. Do not spray fruit-bearing trees or flower beds.

Next, use Supreme IT to conduct a barrier treatment by spraying 3 feet up and 3 feet out from the foundation of the structure. Also spray window frames, door frames, and cracks and crevices around the foundation. Do not let people or pets enter areas treated until dry.

Prevention

Prevention is the final step to completely control Gypsy Moth Caterpillars and limit the possibility of re-infestation. Spray your yard with Supreme IT every 3 months to keep their population in check, especially in the Spring and Fall seasons when their appearance is more likely.

Another preventative measure you can do is avoid planting species of plants that the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar likes to eat. Species like roses, ivy, citrus trees, elm, and oaks can increase the appearance of this destructive caterpillar.

Key Takeaways

What are Gypsy Moth Caterpillars?

• The Gypsy Moth Caterpillar is a caterpillar species known for its hairy appearance and plant destruction in forests and agriculture but has become an increasing presence in residential yards and landscapes. 

How To Get Rid of Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

• We recommend controlling Gypsy Moth Caterpillars with an application of Supreme IT to protect your yard plants.

Preventing Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Reinfestation

• Preventative applications of Supreme IT around your yard and home perimeter will make it unlikely that the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar re-emerges.