Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD) are also commonly called the gypsy moth caterpillars. This species came into Canada more than 50 years ago and have been wreaking havoc since then. Every seven to ten years, they gypsy moth caterpillars cause an outbreak in Toronto and southern parts of Canada.
This species can affect your garden’s appearance significantly by harming the trees. You may also encounter it in parks which is why it is essential to stay safe from the gypsy moth caterpillars. So here is what you need to know about this species invasion in Toronto and how you can keep yourself safe.
What Are Gypsy Moth Caterpillars?
Gypsy moth caterpillars are defoliating pests that feed on the foliage of trees. So they indirectly harm the growth of barks and affect the environment negatively. The male members of this species are brown and can fly while the females are white with no flying abilities.
Besides that, the gypsy moth caterpillars have five pairs of blue dots and six pairs of red dots on their backs. This creepy appearance makes many people afraid of them. The animals used to appear and wreak havoc every seven to ten years. However, climate change is causing more frequent outbreaks.
Gypsy Moth Invasion In Toronto: Latest News
These caterpillars came into Canada in about 1980s and the first outbreak took place in 1985. The gypsy moth caterpillars are prevalent in southern regions of the country because of the suitable climate. The next outbreak took place in 1991 and after that another one happened in 2002.
Besides that, an outbreak also occurred in 2019 and 580,000 hectares of foliage were lost. This is equivalent to the size of the Prince Edward Island. The gypsy moth caterpillars are also affecting Toronto currently because of high population growth.
How Are Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Harmful?
Here are some side effects of gypsy moth caterpillars to help you understand how they harm you and the environment:
- Feeds On Foliage
This is the primary devastating effect that gypsy moth caterpillars cause in Toronto. The insects feed on foliage by moving their way up long trees. They prefer to have oak tree leaves but they can also feed on poplar, willow, and other broad leaf trees.
The worst part is that this feeding causes severe damage to the tree. It prevents the growth of the branches in the correct directions. Besides that, gypsy moth caterpillars also prevents new leaves from growing promptly. All these things harm the environment and ruins the appearance of your yard in Toronto.
- Causes Allergic Reactions
Many people believe gypsy moth caterpillars only harm trees so they don’t have to be on high alert. However, that is not true. The fine hair on these insect’s body are known for causing allergic reactions. So you may suffer from a gypsy moth rash after encountering this invasive species.
The worst part is that the hair are small and can come on your couch, outdoor patio, and other places. You will have to pick out the tiny hairs from your body to reduce the side effects. ibuprofen and acetaminophen is also suggested for decreasing pain caused by the rash.
- Affects Breathing
Another feature of gypsy moth caterpillars is that they can easily enter the mouth of children. This is because of the tiny size and many kids play in parks. So your child may also eat the bug accidentally after being intrigued by the creepy insect with dots.
However, you should ensure your child does not gypsy moth caterpillars accidentally or purposely. These insects cause breathing issues to kids and also cause swallowing problems. So you child will suffer from high pain after encountering this species. You must also visit the doctor immediately for proper medical care.
- Leaves Nests On Branches
It is becoming tough to eradicate gypsy moth caterpillars from Toronto because they grow promptly. The animals leave multiple eggs on different branches of a tree seasonally. As the egg grows, larvae forms after which gypsy moth caterpillars hatch.
The worst part about the hatching is that animal immediately moves up and down the tree to feed on the leaves. It is also tough to prevent the eggs from hatching if you don’t take effective measures. This is why you should learn how to control the population of gypsy moth caterpillars in your yard.
How To Get Rid Of Gypsy Moth Caterpillars?
Here are the top ways you can get rid of gypsy moth caterpillars from your property in Toronto:
- Scrape Off The Eggs
The primary way to reduce damage caused by gypsy moth caterpillars is to prevent their growth. You can do this by observing the appearance of their eggs on your yard’s trees. Scraping off the eggs before hatching will help you prevent damage.
After scraping off the eggs, you should put them in a pail of water or soap. This will kill the larvae inside so that the gypsy moth caterpillar never hatches. You can also burn the eggs in a fireplace if you want to be more sure that the larvae does not grow.
- Use Chemical Treatment
Many insecticides and pesticides have been designed in Toronto to kill gypsy moth caterpillars. You can apply the solution on the tree branches so that the animal is not able to grow. It will also prevent large populations from harming the foliage significantly.
It is also advisable to combine this treatment with positive methods that enhance tree growth. You must provide water to the tree to avoid stress. Besides that, you should also use a fertilizer to ensure new foliage grows healthily in the right direction.
- Use Tree Bands
Tree bands are sticky warps that you will have to apply on the tree. It traps female gypsy moth caterpillars and prevent them from reaching the leaves. The best part is that the male counterparts are attracted to the trapped females.
So when the males come to help the female gypsy moth caterpillars, they also get trapped. This is why many people use tree bands to effectively prevent tree damage.
Final Words
This is everything you need to know about the invasion of gypsy moth caterpillars in Toronto. The animals may cause damage but you can reduce the side effects by taking preventative measures. You can also seek professional help from lawn experts to get rid of gypsy moth caterpillars.