Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hi, I didn't know where else to put this. Hope this is the right place. I was taking pictures out my back window and saw these nests. At first I thought the first one was a plastic bag but isn't I am sure! It looks like white gauze. Has anyone seen these?
Who would I contact in my city? Insect control? Is there even anyone who would do something about this?? Exterminator, I suppose. I just think, yuck! when I look at these.
I plan on checking with my landlord but the (tall, tall) trees might be in the lawn of a house below us.
Thank you all for responding. I am glad I have more to tell my landlord when I call him. Don't know if he will do anything but at least I can tell him.
If the size of the "nest" stays about the same then more than likely those are tent caterpillars.
However, if the size of the "nest" begins to grow, and start to overtake the limb/branch then they would more than likely be webworms. I have seen webworms take over an entire small tree with their nests.
Neither is particularly harmful to the tree itself. But, both species of worms have quite a huge appetite. The eat nonstop and will leave bare spots on the tree where they have eaten all the leaves.
If the bare spot doesn't grow back later in the season, or by the next season, then it's best to cut off the limb/branch so it doesn't decay and allow an entry point for more damage to the tree.
Depending upon how close they are to your home you might consider cutting the branch off. Placing it in a plastic garbage bag and getting rid of it only because you will have the little caterpillars all over the place as they ^^^^ up you wall. Not pretty.
Forest Tent or Eastern Tent caterpillars are native to US, and seperate species from introduced Gypsy Moth. While potentially destructive, the 'tent' cats.
are minor leaguers compared to occasional onslaughts of Gypsy moth caterpillars.
That Wiki link has some suspect info and 'lumping in', imo.
But, the OP's pic is certainly a tent species...
GL, mD
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I was taking pictures out my back window and saw these nests. At first I thought the first one was a plastic bag but isn't I am sure! It looks like white gauze. Has anyone seen these? 
