Moths are out of control.

[ProfessorM]

going to be a lot of damage next spring in my area. This is the most I have seen since they became a problem at least in my neck of the woods. Gypsy's, tent's , and now heavy winter moth. That is why you are seeing so many dead oak and maple trees along the highways as they can't take too many consecutive years without death coming. Add a dry summer to boot and it is a death sentence for the trees. I lost a real big oak this past year to them. Hopefully the wet summer we had helped out a little but with all these winter moths it can't bode well next year.

[BigFish]

They are everywhere outside right now and it is pouring rain!!?!?!?!

[JohnR]

I can't recall seeing so many - what should I do?

[FishermanTim]

That's because their activity is dictated by one thing and one thing only: mating. They have no natural predators here because they are not native to America.
They are a cold weather insect, so bats and spiders are out of the picture. They swarm at night so that birds are no problem, and the hatch in the spring at the same time the tress bushes and shrubs begin to sprout.
The only 2 options are spraying with horticultural oil in the spring, or cut down the tree/bush or shrub and plant something else.

Whoever is responsible for allowing this plague to enter the country has earned the same level of hatred as the Cambridge A-hole that allowed the Asian Red Lilly-Leaf beetle to ruin EVERYONE'S lillies in the region. I kid you not, these little red beetles have infested all of New England, and also have no natural predators in this country.

The state will harp on the recreational fisherman/boater about "invasive species" but when a business does even worse, I guess it's OK.

[EarnedStripes44]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

...earned the same level of hatred as the Cambridge A-hole that allowed...

Now thats touching...

So not only was he just an a-hole, he was a cambridge a-hole. Thats special.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

the Asian Red Lilly-Leaf beetle to ruin EVERYONE'S lillies in the region. I kid you not, these little red beetles have infested all of New England, and also have no natural predators in this country.

I have those critters all over my lillies (what little is left of them) and wondered what they were. Thanks.

[ecduzitgood]

My wheels are turning and I think if I can find an adhesive shelf liner that light can pass through I'll make up a frame with a light inside and wrap the paper (adhesive side out) around it and when they land on it they will get stuck. They even come at the led light on the front of my hat, thankfully they don't bite like mosquitoes yet they are almost as bad as gnats bombing the light. I remember last spring when I was outside having a smoke I could hear them crunching away.
And those asian lilly bettles got mine for years but they seemed to leave the tiger lilies alone after using a systemic insecticide (I can't remember which? I'll look; although it wouldn't suprise me if it's banned now).
The bayer tree and shrub (it's systemic) seemed to help my smaller trees but the bigger ones took a beating this spring so I'll treat them this coming spring. The neighbors who won't treat their trees and the woods around me are going to ensure I them every year and once again try to keep them outside each fall.

Heck I've even considered putting a box fan on high with a light behind it (outflow side) to see if that would work.

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

I have those critters all over my lilies (what little is left of them) and wondered what they were. Thanks.

plant day lilies they don't effect those, as they are not really a Lily but a decent alternative and require no maintenance at all other than splitting every few years. Pretty much impossible to kill them, they thrive on neglect. The true lilies are effected and I find them not worth putting in anymore IMO which is a shame as I used to have many.

Trying to trap them, winter moths that is, is a noble idea but with the mass quantity of them it is a waste of your time IMO.

Winter moths

in March look for tiny orange egg clusters scattered on tree trunks and branches. You can apply a perfectly timed hort. oil spray but good luck trying to get up high in a tree. With the amount of moths I am seeing it is a waste of time and money. When the little larvae are feeding on foliage you can apply BT, but again you are not going to be able to get up in the canopy of the trees so good luck. Fruit trees can be managed because the are small but large oaks and such forget about it. If you are real adamant about controlling them you will need to call in a pro to have your trees sprayed with a BT and or Spinosad product, which can only be sprayed by a licensed pro, arborist. Sucks having your whole yard covered with chemicals. I have done it and last time it cost me $400.00 and it is not 100 percent effective. If your neighbor doesn't do it they can come into your yard via wind direction, thus the name gypsy It is very expensive to have done and then after a month or so you got Gypsy moths to contend with so it is a losing battle. Just have to hope mother nature comes to the rescue with some kind of natural control. There is a natural occurring fungus in the soil that will kill off the gypsy moth but the winter moth has no known natural control. The infestation will be bad for a few years and then it will slow to only come back heavy again several years later. It goes in cycles. I control them with Sevin that I spray on my fruit trees and blueberries. I don't have the equipment to do large trees , thus the licensed pro with the heavy duty sprayer. You can buy Sevin at Lowes and such and spray yourself but it is a toxin so be very careful and read the directions as it can effect beneficial insects. I hate using any such products on something I am going to eat but it has to be done. The problem with winter moths compared to gypsy moths is they start very early and go into the bud, which is pretty much undetectable until it is too late. Like all spraying you need to time it perfectly or it is a waste. Contact your local County Extension Service for more info as that is what they are there for. I hate the buggers.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

The true lilies are effected and I find them not worth putting in anymore IMO which is a shame as I used to have many.

The Shultz's Houseplant&Garden Inspect spray (all natural pyrethrins from mums) kills them buggers dead, but repeated applications necessary to keep them away. After eating the bloom they strip the leaves, leaving a dead stalk.

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

The Shultz's Houseplant&Garden Inspect spray (all natural pyrethrins from mums) kills them buggers dead, but repeated applications necessary to keep them away. After eating the bloom they strip the leaves, leaving a dead stalk.

thanks for the info. My problem is I forget to do it. At this stage of gardening I have pretty much eliminated most plants that need lots of attention as my time is too limited and most of that is taken up by fruits and veggies and even they don't get the attention they need as fishing gets in the way. Some day I will have to revisit the Lilly's.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

..... Asian Red Lilly-Leaf beetle to ruin EVERYONE'S lillies in the region. I kid you not, these little red beetles have infested all of New England, and also have no natural predators in this country.

Just curious, my lillies have no infestation this year. I did spot a couple beetles a few weeks back but the plants are growing and healthy. Anyone having troubles?

Another topic: I'm seeing more dragon flies than ever around my area, any thoughts why? Maybe that is why no Asian Red Lilly-leaf Beetles?

[Raven]

they have them at home depot for around $29 bucks

if you suspend a light out back of the house up high enough

the bats will have a field day eating them

the only problem with the zappers is the ssszzzz zap! noise
and having to clean the screens so often- like every two days...

not so hard with an air compressor tho

[eastendlu]

Call these girls they are good with moths

[JamesJet]

You all are not kidding about the moths. I just got home from work, my wife picked me up at the train station and turned the outside light on. When we got back (about 10 minutes total from when she left to when we got home) my front door and all around it was covered. I have never seen so many. Would a blast of cold kill them off? Is it because of the unusual warm weather?

[Raven]

the lake effect cold winds are coming soon with sloppy snow
predicted with in a week....
which forces all the moths back under the tree bark once again