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 and we guarantee 100% control of Puss Caterpillars.

If you happen to own a garden, there’s a high probability that you might come in contact with Puss Caterpillars, also commonly known as Asps. 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 they can also be found in the yard, near gardens, and in 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, you could be visited by these dangerous caterpillars.

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 get rid of them using our recommendations and expert advice.

Identification

Before you can proceed with treatment, you need to 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 is found in New Jersey, Florida, west of Arkansas, and Texas and is known to frequent elms, oak, sycamore, and a variety of citrus trees.
• Puss Caterpillars vary in color between yellow, grey, to red-brown and range 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. Their hairy body should not be touched as it will cause an allergic reaction. In each instar (or stage of their larvae), the hair increases.

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 ID and treatment options.

Inspection

After you have identified Puss Caterpillars on your property, you will need to carry out an inspection. During this phase, you will need to pinpoint the trees or shrubs that the Puss Caterpillars are eating from. When conducting the inspection, remember to wear gloves and long clothing to protect yourself from accidentally touching the pest. 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 in your yard. Start with your ornamentals, plants, bushes, and garden if you have one. If you have oak, elm, or citrus trees in your property search around these trees. Inspect your yard and landscaping and also look in the ground as they sometimes fall from trees.

What To Look For

You're looking for Puss Caterpillars themselves and the trees and plants they are feeding on. Use a stick to search in the trees, plants, and bushes to keep you from accidentally touching the caterpillars. If you happen to find any Puss Caterpillars in your trees, yard, or garden, take note of 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. Remember to first read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

Treatment for Puss Caterpillars is easy and will only need to be applied outdoors. We recommend Supreme IT. Supreme IT is a powerful insecticide that will be used to create a barrier around the structure of your home to prevent and kill any caterpillars from coming close.

Step 1 - Measure and Mix with Supreme IT

Supreme IT is a broad-spectrum insecticide that is labeled for treating over 70 different pests, including 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. To do this, you will need to measure the length and width of the area, then multiply the two values. 1 ounce of Supreme IT with a gallon of water will treat 1,000 square feet.

In a sprayer, fill a half a gallon of water and then add the appropriate amount of Supreme IT based on your calculations. Fill with 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 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 Puss 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 Puss Caterpillar likes to eat. Species like roses, ivy, citrus trees, elm, and oaks can increase the appearance of this dangerous caterpillar.

Key Takeaways

What are Puss Caterpillars?

• The Puss Caterpillar (also known as Asps) is a caterpillar species 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.