Inchworms are everywhere!

lakelady · May 18, 2013

It's gross. You can't walk anywhere in my yard without walking through their webs going to and fro from here and there. They hitch rides into the house on my hair (eww). I caught a fat one eating my petunias today and since they are the same color as the plants (green) you barely see them. Sneaky critters. I sprayed everything with Spinosad hoping to get rid of a few but I'm not sure. They are all over my deck. Any suggestions?

Eric02476 · May 20, 2013

If your area has winter moth caterpillars (as we do up the coast in eastern Mass.), that's probably what your inchworm invasion is. Voracious, omnipresent and seemingly omniverous. Check your state extension website for winter moth information.

Despite a high regional infestation, I've had far fewer problems in recent years after we've started having our trees sprayed with BT and Spinosad by an arborist at the right time in the Spring.

Short term, the Spinosad is probably your best bet, as it persists a bit better than BT. However, be aware that Spinosad is toxic to bees until it dries, so I avoid using it on anything that's flowering.

Eric

livinonfaith · May 20, 2013

I've also heard that you should spray Spinosad in the late evening, after the bees have turned in for the night. That way the chemicals have time to dry before the bees are exposed.

Eric02476 · May 20, 2013

Yes, applying Spinosad in the evening is a frequently recommended mitigation strategy to help protect bees, when it is absolutely necessary to spray on or near flowering plants. I've had to do that myself with rose bushes that would otherwise been devastated by winter moth caterpillars. However, I always start with BT on flowering plants, as it is safe for bees and generally effective especially when caterpillars are young/small. It also helps to spray BT on cloudy days as it degrades more rapidly in the sun. If BT fails, I move on to Spinosad.

BTW, although we're currently discussing plants other than tomatoes, bees do pollinate tomatoes so the caution about Spinosad is relevant in managing caterpillars on tomatoes, also.

tjg911 · May 20, 2013

BT, spinosaid can harm and maybe kill beneficials.

tom

May 18, 2013	#1
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	Inchworms are everywhere! It's gross. You can't walk anywhere in my yard without walking through their webs going to and fro from here and there. They hitch rides into the house on my hair (eww). I caught a fat one eating my petunias today and since they are the same color as the plants (green) you barely see them. Sneaky critters. I sprayed everything with Spinosad hoping to get rid of a few but I'm not sure. They are all over my deck. Any suggestions? __________________ Antoniette

May 20, 2013	#4
Eric02476 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, Zone 6a Posts: 50	Yes, applying Spinosad in the evening is a frequently recommended mitigation strategy to help protect bees, when it is absolutely necessary to spray on or near flowering plants. I've had to do that myself with rose bushes that would otherwise been devastated by winter moth caterpillars. However, I always start with BT on flowering plants, as it is safe for bees and generally effective especially when caterpillars are young/small. It also helps to spray BT on cloudy days as it degrades more rapidly in the sun. If BT fails, I move on to Spinosad. BTW, although we're currently discussing plants other than tomatoes, bees do pollinate tomatoes so the caution about Spinosad is relevant in managing caterpillars on tomatoes, also. Last edited by Eric02476; May 20, 2013 at 12:05 PM.

May 20, 2013	#5
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	BT, spinosaid can harm and maybe kill beneficials. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

May 20, 2013	#3
livinonfaith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina Posts: 1,332	I've also heard that you should spray Spinosad in the late evening, after the bees have turned in for the night. That way the chemicals have time to dry before the bees are exposed.