Flying biting caterpillars are not natural

[Oreomeister365]

Anyone else deal with gypsy moth caterpillars? These things are getting more numerous every year. You literally cannot touch anything that stays outdoors...trees, lawn chairs, playground equipment, it sucks. I love the outdoors but I can't touch anything whether accidently brushing up against a bush, leaning against a tree or whatever. People can't leave their clothes out to dry without the buggers covering them.

It's not only that but they are literally floating around in the air. They make little threads that float them about and get everywhere. God forbid you even think about going in the woods, the buggers will be falling on you like rain. Then once they start eating they'll be pooping on you like rain. Children can't go on playground equipment. I think these are a much bigger problem then people seem to think.

Thankfully bass is an indoor sport...

[Dan1099]

Originally Posted by Oreomeister365

Anyone else deal with gypsy moth caterpillars? These things are getting more numerous every year. You literally cannot touch anything that stays outdoors...trees, lawn chairs, playground equipment, it sucks. I love the outdoors but I can't touch anything whether accidently brushing up against a bush, leaning against a tree or whatever. People can't leave their clothes out to dry without the buggers covering them.

It's not only that but they are literally floating around in the air. They make little threads that float them about and get everywhere. God forbid you even think about going in the woods, the buggers will be falling on you like rain. Then once they start eating they'll be pooping on you like rain. Children can't go on playground equipment. I think these are a much bigger problem then people seem to think.

Thankfully bass is an indoor sport...

In my neck of the woods, we burn their nests with flamethrowers. It's AWESOME.

[Peaved]

eww.

[Phalex]

I remember camping on Beaver Island back in the 80's. I thought there was a light rain going on all night, but in the morning everything was dry. Turns out what I thought was the sound of drizzle hitting the tent I was sleeping in was really caterpillar poo. They seem to came and go a little different year to year. Some years are heavier than others.

[Mr. Pickles]

As a child, I used to make flame throwers out of sterno and lab equipment and burn their nests. I am not proud of that period in my life.

[Oreomeister365]

Do they even have nests? I just see them covering every square inch of everything.

I know the tent caterpillars have obvious nests, but are they the same thing?

Just looked it up, tent caterpillars and gypsy moths are indeed different.

We need tointroduce some natural predators...as of now they are basically none.

[playinpearls]

never seen any like that....i have seen those big nests of the yellow caterpillars in trees in VA....those the same?

[Risen Ashes]

Yikes!

[jazzy grille]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

As a child, I used to make flame throwers out of sterno and lab equipment and burn their nests. I am not proud of that period in my life.

I am very proud of that period of your life.