The Worms Are Back - Tent Caterpillars

By Richard Dowson

I’m sure you’ve noticed – the worms are back. They are actually caterpillars, but everyone I know who hates them calls them ‘worms.’

It’s the cyclical infestation of Western Tent caterpillars. We get abig infestation here in Moose Jaw every eight to ten years and they last one or two years.

Now, in this heavy infestation, they crawl over everything looking for food. A bunch gathered on the blue recycle container assuming it would taste good. So, we are not talking about intelligent insects. Just nuisance insects.

They love to run silk trails from feeding grounds. These threats hang down and we run into them. Rather gross indeed.

There are safe insecticides. You spray them on vegetation and when the ‘worms’ eat the vegetation they die. I worry insecticides will kill birds or other critters, like my large, friendly Fox Squire Erl. So, I avoid insecticides, sweep them off the deck; curse a little and hope for the best, knowing it is just a cycle of nature.

The Government of Canada has a website on Tent Caterpillars that you can check out. They explain how to get rid of them – which is usually done in the fall when you find a ‘nest.’ Cut the branch, put it in a plastic bag and put it in the garbage. You can also burn them.