Puss Caterpillar Control: How To Get Rid of Puss Caterpillars

This page is a general puss caterpillar control guide. Using the products and methods suggested, you will get control of puss caterpillars. Follow this guide and use the recommended products; we guarantee 100% control of puss caterpillars.

If you own a garden, there’s a high probability that you might come in contact with puss caterpillars, also commonly known as "asps." They are distinguished by their furry bodies, which could vary in color from grayish-white, orangish-brown to charcoal. Puss caterpillars are often found on trees but can also be found in the yard, near gardens, and landscaping.

Puss caterpillars feed on various leaves and shrubs and often stay outside your home. But if you happen to have elm and oak trees around your property, these dangerous caterpillars could visit you.

Puss caterpillars are considered the most venomous caterpillars in the United States. Although they may look furry and fun to touch, the small hairs on their body deliver a powerful sting that creates muscle cramps, nausea, intense pain, headaches, and severe allergic reactions.

If you have noticed puss caterpillars on your property, the following guide may help. Follow along to learn more about puss caterpillars and how to eliminate them using our recommendations and expert advice.

Identification

Before you can proceed with treatment, you must be sure that the pest you are dealing with is a puss 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 some identifying characteristics of puss caterpillars:

• The puss caterpillar is the larvae form of the southern flannel moth. It varies in color between yellow, grey, and red-brown and ranges in size from 1.2 to 1.4 inches.
• The body of a puss caterpillar is tear-shaped and entirely covered with hair that looks almost like a wig. The hairy body should not be touched, as it may cause an allergic reaction. The hair increases in each instar (or stage of the larvae).

Use the image and description above to help you to identify this pest. If you are still unsure, send a photo to our email, and one of our experts will respond with the correct identification and treatment options.

Inspection

After identifying puss caterpillars on your property, you must conduct an inspection. During this phase, you must pinpoint the trees or shrubs from which the puss caterpillars eat. Remember to wear gloves and long clothing to protect yourself from accidentally touching the pest when conducting the inspection. Use a long stick to move branches and leaves that may harbor puss caterpillars. 

Where To Inspect

Because most puss caterpillars are found outdoors, focus your inspection on your yard. Start with your ornamentals, plants, bushes, and garden if you have one. If you have oak, elm, or citrus trees on your property, search around these trees. Inspect your yard and landscaping, and also look at the ground as it sometimes falls from trees.

What To Look For

You're looking for the puss caterpillars and the trees and plants they feed on. Use a stick to search the trees, plants, and bushes to prevent you from accidentally touching the caterpillars. If you find any puss caterpillars in your trees, yard, or garden, note where you found them, as this is where you will apply the treatment.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed puss caterpillar activity, you will begin treatment. First, read all product labels, follow the application instructions on these labels, and wear personal protective equipment to stay safe.

Treatment for puss caterpillars is easy and only needs to be applied outdoors. We recommend Supreme IT, a powerful insecticide that will create a barrier around your home's structure to prevent and kill any caterpillars from coming close.

Step 1: Measure and Mix with Supreme IT

Supreme IT is a broad-spectrum insecticide labeled for treating over 70 pests, including caterpillars. Its long residual effect can continue to control pests for up to 90 days after application. 

Measure the square footage of your treatment area to determine how much Supreme IT you need to cover the entire area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet and then multiply the two values (length X width = square footage).

Apply 1 ounce of Supreme IT with a gallon of water to treat 1,000 square feet.

Fill a sprayer with half a gallon of water and add the appropriate amount of Supreme IT based on your calculations. Fill the remaining half gallon of water, close the lid, and agitate the sprayer until the Supreme IT is well mixed. You are now ready to spray.

Step 2: Apply Supreme IT to the Puss Caterpillars

Apply Supreme IT over your yard and garden via fan spray to get uniform coverage. Spray your whole lawn, starting from the back to the front. Also, spray ornamentals and landscaping, focusing only 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 from the structure's foundation. Also, spray window frames, door frames, and cracks and crevices around the foundation.

Do not let people or pets enter areas treated areas until completely dry. 

Prevention

Prevention is the final step to completely controlling puss caterpillars and limiting the possibility of re-infestation. Take on the following preventative measures to ensure puss caterpillars do not return:

• Spray your yard with Supreme IT every three months to keep their population in check, especially in the spring and fall seasons when their appearance is more likely.
• Another preventative measure is to avoid planting plants that the puss caterpillar likes to eat. Species like roses, ivy, citrus trees, elms, and oaks can increase the appearance of this dangerous caterpillar.

Key Takeaways

What are Puss Caterpillars?

• The puss caterpillar (asps) is known for its hairy appearance and plant destruction. Its hairy body is dangerous to touch and can cause severe allergic reactions.

How To Get Rid of Puss Caterpillars

• We recommend controlling puss caterpillars with an application of Supreme IT to protect your yard plants.

Preventing Puss Caterpillar Reinfestation

• Preventative applications of Supreme IT around your yard and home perimeter will make it unlikely that the puss caterpillar reinfests.