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David Epstein: It just has been past that has come down from probably even in Canada or perhaps even Europe. It is called the Winter Moth and it is spreading south and it is spreading west and it is already down into New York, it is in the Connecticut, it is certainly in the Massachusetts. We are going to learn a little bit about it today and what you can do in your own yard to protect your trees and shrubs.
So, for that we are going to bring out Rolf Briggs, of Tree Specialist. As a home owner, how do I even know I have this problem?
Rolf Briggs: The Moss is flying around between thanks giving and Christmas on an evening over 40 degrees temperature. In the spring, when you have half leaf and you look at the tissue of the leaves you will see the holes in the leaves.
David Epstein: Let us say, I do not do anything and the caterpillar eats the leaves on my trees year after year. Can the tree die?
Rolf Briggs: Yes, it certainly can. In over progressively years, eventually the tree just can run out of money and shut down.
David Epstein: So, what do I do as a home owner? The tendency I think is the people use a lot of chemicals.
Rolf Briggs: The early one was BT the come out with another buyer rational called Spinosad or conserve which is even better than BT because it absorbs into the leaf and has immediate knock down of the caterpillar and with this voracious feeder. You do not want wait three or four days for the BT to take effect.
David Epstein: I have a dog, actually three dogs. So, I want to be careful about spraying with chemicals. Are these safe things safe with pets, animals, kids?
Rolf Briggs: Yes, BT and Spinosad conserve materials are not harmful to dogs or kids playing in the yard.
David Epstein: You are certified arborist so what can you do I cannot do?
Rolf Briggs: We have the ability to spray very high up in to the trees with special equipment that not necessarily available to home owners. They can use small things that they can carry around themselves, but the taller trees are out of range for them to get
David Epstein: When is too late to spray?
Rolf Briggs: Sometime in early June. People will have noticeable amount of caterpillars all coming out of the trees at the same time, going back in the soil. And do not spray after that happens because then you are spraying chemicals on the leaves that are not potentially got to be eaten by anything.
David Epstein: Great. Thank you.
Rolf Briggs: Yes.
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