Spongy Moth

Burlap Banding

Help reduce Spongy (Gypsy) Moth populations

Burlap banding is an effective way to help reduce the population and damage done by spongy moths (formerly known as the gypsy moth).

1. Wrap a piece of burlap about 8-12 inches wide around the tree about 4 feet from the ground

2. Tie it with a piece of string so the burlap flops over the front of the burlap to trap the caterpillars and another tie around the bottom

3. Gather the caterpillars each and place them in a bucket of warm soapy water for 3 days, or squish them

Frequently asked questions

Are you spraying this year?

No, we’re not spraying this year

Why aren't you spraying this year?

Experts did an egg survey and found that the numbers will be below the danger threshold for spraying. Most mature trees can survive a spongy moth infestation. We will survey each fall to determine if it is needed for 2023.

Spongy moth populations are cyclical and localized, with populations being higher or lower in different areas of the city during different years of that cycle. Most trees affected by spongy moth recover and grow new leaves after defoliation (losing their leaves). However, additional stresses such as salt damage, soil compaction or multiple years of defoliation can lead to decline.

I have a lot of eggs/caterpillars. What can I do?

Sticky banding and burlap banding can help prevent the caterpillars from crawling into the canopy. There are some good videos online that can help. Some landscape and arborist companies can also do some spraying, but this will be at the homeowner’s cost.

See the section below on “How to Create a Sticky Band.”

Can you spray my home or local park?

We recognize that their numbers might seem high and they are unpleasant, but we cannot spray this year as the deadline for federal and provincial permission passed months ago. Experts have also told us the numbers are below the dangerous threshold.

What is Spongy Moth?

Spongy moth, commonly known as the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD), is an introduced pest that impacts trees when larvae emerge in spring and the caterpillars feed on leaves causing defoliation. Oaks are the preferred host species of tree.

As part of Burlington's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, Forestry staff assess sites annually across the city and conduct egg mass surveys to determine areas where natural processes can no longer keep pest population levels down on their own. Although healthy trees can generally withstand repeated defoliation, trees which are already in distress from problems such as acute drought, compacted soils, diseases or other pests may die. Generally, healthy trees which are defoliated in spring, will leaf out again by fall. Spongy moth populations tend to be cyclical, with peaks every 8-12 years, followed by dramatic population decline of the pest

Treatments are only used when populations exceed accepted thresholds. Treatment of the insect populations below threshold levels. The treatment option commonly used is BtK (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki), a bacterium found naturally in soils. BtK works only against larva of the target species of insect; it does not affect plants, animals or people. BtK is one of the few organic treatments acceptable to organic growers as it is a naturally occurring biological organism.

How to Create a Sticky Band

Wrap a 10 to 15 cm wide strip of insulation or cotton batting around the trunk of the tree you are going to be banding, about 1.5 m (five feet) off the ground
Cover the insulation or cotton with plastic wrap or a garbage bag. Allow several inches of plastic above and below the insulation
Tape the plastic to the tree with duct tape or packing tape. Please do not use nails or staples to attach the plastic to the tree as this will injure the tree
Spread a layer of a sticky substance, such as Tanglefoot^TM or similar product as directed, on the plastic. This will make the spongy moth caterpillars stick to the band
Inspect the sticky material regularly and remove leaves and other debris and reapply sticky material if required
Bands should be removed by late spring and reapplied in the fall. It is important to remove the bands to prevent damage or discolouration of the bark

Who to Contact

For questions or concerns, please contact to Kyle McLoughlin, Supervisor of Forest Planning & Health at kyle.mcloughlin@burlington.ca or 905-335-7777, ext. 6145.