Texas A&M Entomology Research Network

Extension News

How to get rid of fruit flies in your house

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Fight the pests by removing their home inside your home

by Adam Russell, Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

The fruit fly is a pest that can find its way into homes relatively easy. But they’re also relatively easy to control once you’ve found the food source and breeding site. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Mike Merchant)
The fruit fly is a pest that can find its way into homes relatively easy. But they’re also relatively easy to control once you’ve found the food source and breeding site. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Mike Merchant)

Fruit flies can be a pesky pest, especially indoors. While they can be annoying, Mike Merchant, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service urban entomologist, Dallas, said infestations of fruit flies and other flying pests are relatively easy to control.

“Fruit flies are almost impossible to keep out of homes,” Merchant said. “They can fly in doors when we come and go, hitch rides home on ripe fruit, and are even small enough to enter through window screens. They are very good at smelling out food nearly anywhere in the house.”

Say bye to fruit flies

Removing the breeding site is the best way to get rid of fruit flies, Merchant said.

“We all have an instinct to grab the Raid or a bug bomb, but we’re not going to get rid of them until we get rid of their breeding sites,” he said.

Fruit flies just need a little moisture in their food to breed, Merchant said.

Larvae feed on decaying plant material, including fruits like strawberries and bananas, and vegetables like onions and potatoes, he said. They also are attracted to wine and beer, vinegar and other sugary beverages.

“They are a major pest for bars and restaurants where they breed in any drink spillage,” he said. “In homes, they are more likely to breed in overripe fruit, rotting onions or spoiled potatoes. Knowing where to look is key.”

The top spots Merchant recommends checking if no “obvious” breeding spot is located are pantries and the trash can.

“It’s good to check the pantry for those forgotten bags of potatoes,” he said. “Another top spot a lot of people don’t think about is the bottom of the trash can. Any spilled liquids or syrups in the bottom of a trash receptacle are great breeding sites for fruit flies.”

Merchant said removing potential breeding sites and proper sanitation – cleaning and wiping up any spills on countertops or floors, especially cracks in flooring – will reduce the likelihood of an infestation. Fruit flies have a life cycle of a week or less, so once the breeding sites are removed, flies will disappear relatively quickly.

“They really bother people, but aren’t really hurting anything,” he said. “We get a lot of calls about them year-round. They’re more prevalent in summer but can be a problem for indoor environments at any time.”

Fruit fly traps

Baited traps are a good way to help catch fruit flies while the breeding sites are being located, Merchant said.

Suitable attractants for traps include apple cider vinegar, wine and bananas, he said. Traps can be as simple as a plastic bowl containing an attractant, like apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of soap to drown flies that attempt to land on the solution.

Commercial traps with funnels or small entry ports that make escape difficult are another option, he said.

“Fruit flies and other flying pests like gnats are just one of life’s little annoyances,” he said. “Making sure they don’t have a place to call home inside your home is the best first step to controlling them.”

It’s big, but it’s not a ‘murder hornet’

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Texas A&M AgriLife experts say Texans mistakenly identifying cicada killer wasps as Asian giant hornets

by Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

Many insects are being mistaken for the Asian giant hornet.
Many insects are being mistaken for the Asian giant hornet.

Since the release of information about Asian giant hornets, Texas A&M AgriLife entomologists are being inundated with cicada killers and other lookalike insects submitted for identification as a possible “murder hornet,” which thus far has only been found in Washington state in the U.S.

While the agency wants to continue to encourage Texans to be vigilant in watching for the Asian giant hornet, they also want to help provide guidance that will help narrow the focus.

David Ragsdale, Ph.D., chief scientific officer and associate director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and professor in the Department of Entomology, said many photos of Texas native cicada killers, or ground hornets, are being submitted as suspected Asian giant hornets. He said their website receives five to 10 photos a day, and agency pest management agents and specialists around the state have also been handling inquiries.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a cicada killer

In May, the concern about Asian giant hornet was enough to prompt Gov. Greg Abbott to request a task force be mobilized to prepare Texas against the Asian giant hornet’s arrival.

A cicada killer wasp and burrow. These are being confused for Asian giant hornets. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Dr. Pat Porter)
A cicada killer wasp and burrow. These are being confused for Asian giant hornets. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Dr. Pat Porter)

But June is the normal month for the cicada killer wasp, a common large wasp in Texas, to start showing up and this prompted posts on Facebook and in news feeds mistakenly reporting cicada killer wasps as sightings of the Asian giant hornet.

“Most everyone has seen the cicada killer wasp that is very large, but has mostly been ignored in the past,” Ragsdale said. “With the most recent news of the Asian giant hornet, they are now paying attention to the native Texas insect.”

While some people thought they had been seeing the newly pictured murder hornets for years, AgriLife Extension experts want to clarify, “No, you haven’t.” Now they are providing outlets to help tell the difference between the Asian giant hornet and similar looking pests.

Holly Davis, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist in Weslaco, and Pat Porter, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension entomologist in Lubbock, recently developed a short video explaining the differences between the “murder hornet” and several common lookalikes here in Texas.

“To date, we have identified hundreds of insects that people in Texas suspect might be Asian giant hornets (murder hornets),” Porter said. “Eighty percent of these have been either the eastern cicada killer or western cicada killer. It is understandable how non-entomologists would have trouble deciding which was which.”

Comparison between Asian Giant Hornet and look-alike wasps

How to tell the difference

“First, the Asian giant hornet is native to Japan and South Korea, and it has only been found in parts of British Columbia, Canada and the northwestern corner of Washington state,” Davis said. “There have been no confirmed reports of these hornets in other U.S. locations, including Texas.”

There are a number of Texas native species of wasp, hornet, yellow jacket and bees, but what really separates Asian giant hornet and a few of our native species is their size. The ones most likely to be confused with Asian giant hornet are three species of cicada killers and the pigeon horntail.

The Asian giant hornet is the world’s largest known hornet measuring 1.5-2 inches in length. It has a head as wide as its shoulders, where the wings and legs are located, or wider, and it is a bright orange or yellow. The thorax, or shoulder portion where the wings and legs are connected, is a dark brown, as are the antenna. It has a much smaller or pinched waist and then smooth looking brown and orange stripes cover the abdomen.

The cicada killers, of which there are three different species here in Texas, are also quite large, measuring 1-1.5 inches in length. But they will all typically have a head that is narrower than the thorax. The head and the thorax are typically the same color, a darker orange or brown color. It does also have a pinched waist. But the stripes on the abdomen will be jagged and sometimes look like mountains.

The eastern cicada killer tends to be black and yellow. The western cicada killer is closer in color to the Asian giant hornet, being reddish brown and yellow. But there is no contrasting color between the head and thorax and the stripes are jagged on the western cicada killer.

The other group of insects that are most commonly confused with the Asian giant hornet are the horntail or wood wasps. They are large, have a distinct head that is as wide or wider than the thorax, and may share the same coloration as the Asian giant hornet. However, there is one trait that is easy to spot that is different, and that is the waist. Horntails lack any appearance of a waist.

Harmful or just alarming

The Asian giant hornet preys on bees and can decimate local honey bee populations, essential for most fruit and vegetable crop production. The Asian giant hornets also are fiercely protective of their nests and will deploy painful stings that can cause fatal allergic reactions in people already sensitive to bee stings.

The cicada killer and wood wasps, however, are solitary and thus do not aggressively protect their nesting sites by attacking in large numbers, Davis said. Cicada killers, however, may cause alarm due to the males’ territorial behavior, dive-bombing or buzzing people and animals that walk into their territory.

“Although cicada killers are solitary, you can often find numerous individuals in areas with sandy soils where females dig nests in the ground,” she said. “These nests appear as dime to quarter sized holes.  As females come and go, provisioning their nest with cicadas they paralyze with a sting and carry back to their nests.

“The males are more interested in mating. Thus, they may try to chase off intruders they perceive as a threat to their mating opportunities. However, male wasps are not capable of stinging, thus they are not dangerous, just a nuisance for a few weeks out of the year during the nesting season. Females can sting but are not aggressive and reports of stings are rare.”

Horntails and wood wasps may have what appear to be very long stingers, but they are unable to sting.  They lack venom glands and instead they use this structure, called an ovipositor, to insert eggs into plant tissue, hence the name wood wasp, Davis said.

AgriLife Extension experts: Time to say ‘no’ to mosquitoes

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by Susan Himes, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications

The Asian tiger mosquito, one of 85 species found in Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Mike Merchant)
The Asian tiger mosquito, one of 85 species found in Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Mike Merchant)

Did you know there are 85 species of mosquitoes in Texas that have been identified by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s agricultural and environmental safety unit personnel? 

That’s a lot of itch-inducing painful pests to worry about. Besides being a buzzing and biting nuisance, mosquitoes carry a host of diseases and viruses that can be dangerous to people, pets and livestock. 

“It’s a mosquito’s world,” said Sonja Swiger, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension veterinary entomologist in Stephenville. “Whether you see them or not, they are all around us.” 

Our state’s warm climate makes a prime breeding ground for vector-borne illnesses, so AgriLife Extension experts hope Texans will observe Mosquito Awareness Week on June 21-27 by learning how to prevent and control these pests. 

Mosquito basics 

Male mosquitos feed only on nectar, unlike their blood-sucking counterparts. Females also feed on nectar but need blood for egg production. 

There are species of mosquitoes that feed during the day and species that feed at night. That may be why it seems like there are so many mosquitoes out at dawn and dusk – during these periods, the day and night feeders may overlap. 

Swiger said during the day, grassy areas with tree coverage are where mosquitoes like to be to avoid the hot sun. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their body temperature. That’s why on warmer days, they seek shade and why they typically aren’t around when the thermometer dips below the mid-50s. 

“People in the city may not even notice mosquitoes during the day,” she said. “But the species of mosquito that carries West Nile virus typically lives in more urban areas, so people in cities are more likely to contract West Nile virus and need to be aware.” 

If you live in the country, you’ll typically encounter more mosquitoes during the day, especially when it’s wet, Swiger said. 

“At night, no one is better off than anyone else when it comes to mosquitoes,” Swiger said. “Whether you live in the country, suburbs or a big city, you’ll have mosquitoes to contend with.” 

Mosquitoes hibernate in the winter. Some mosquitoes spend their winter as eggs that then hatch when the weather warms up, while others hibernate as adults or larvae. Areas with a hot and humid tropical climate can experience mosquitoes year-round. 

Mosquitoes and disease 

Mosquitoes can transmit viruses such as Zika, West Nile, malaria, dengue and more to humans. 

“In Texas, our biggest concern is West Nile virus,” explained Swiger. “It has been found throughout the U.S., and we here in Texas have experienced a large number of cases in the past. It’s something that varies year to year, so there’s no way of predicting what kind of year this will be.” 

In 2012, Texas experienced its largest outbreak of West Nile virus in history with over 1,800 confirmed cases. 

“Most of these victims reported they were bitten at home,” Swiger said.  “So, it’s important that Texans be aware at all times and use repellant when necessary.” 

She said dengue is the other most important mosquito-related disease Texans need to be aware of.  While it is primarily seen in South Texas, the Lower Rio Grande Valley and areas bordering Mexico, someone that contracts it could travel anywhere. 

“We also need to remember that Zika is still out there,” Swiger said. “That is something that pregnant women in particular need to be aware of.” 

Mosquitoes and animals 

Mosquitoes can transmit dangerous disease-causing parasites to dogs and horses too, including canine heartworms, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis and West Nile virus. 

“We don’t see Eastern equine encephalitis much, but even one case is cause for concern, since the mortality rate for horses with EEE is 75-80%,” Swiger said. “We typically see cases in East Texas and can expect to have cases in horses again this year. But we haven’t seen a case in humans yet.” 

Swiger also noted while there are currently EEE, WEE and West Nile vaccines available for horses, there are none for humans as yet. 

Mosquito protection 

When you are outdoors in any area where there could be mosquitoes, it is wise to wear long sleeves and long pants. The tighter the weave of the fabric, the better protection it will offer from bites. 

When it comes to topical protection, proven effective mosquito repellents will have at least one of these ingredients: DEET, IR3535, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, which may also be listed as paramenthane-3, 8-diol. 

Mosquito prevention 

The first step in mosquito prevention involves finding and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near standing water, so any stagnant water is a potential problem. Any place around the home or property where water can collect and sit for seven to 10 days is a problem to address. 

Check property for standing water in clogged rain gutters, birdbaths, old tires, children’s play equipment, potted plant trays, tarps, holes in trees, bowls and buckets — literally anything that can hold standing water. Make sure to regularly change the water in any pet bowls outside. 

Dump or drain stagnant water and turn over or cover items that catch and hold water. Gravel or sand can be used to fill places where stagnant water collects. 

Mosquito eradication 

If a mosquito problem needs wider control, it may be necessary to call a pest control company that specializes in mosquito management. For some do-it-yourself options, AgriLife Extension experts suggest: 

– Treating standing water with insecticide/larvicide. 

– Applying residual sprays on yard surfaces. 

– Using mosquito foggers in the yard. 

If opting for a chemical solution, always read the label first and carefully check to determine if it is harmful for human, animals, plants or beneficial insects. 

To learn more about mosquitoes, AgriLife Extension offers a Mosquito Control website and a Mosquito Safari. The website also is where Mike Merchant, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension entomologist, Dallas, has created a series of informative mosquito videos. Follow Swiger on her blog for more about bugs and insects. 

 

Cattle fever tick numbers on the rise

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AgriLife experts warn of ticks’ potential negative economic impact

by Susan Himes, Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

Quarantine Zone sign
A million acres beyond the permanent quarantine zone is now quarantined due to cattle fever. (AgriLife photo)

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are working to help thwart the spread of cattle fever.

An announcement from the Texas Animal Health Commission, TAHC, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program, USDA-CFTEP, that cattle fever tick infestations have spread outside the permanent quarantine zone prompted concern from AgriLife experts, who last dealt with a large outbreak in 2017.

“The discovery of more fever tick infestations, particularly outside of the permanent quarantine zone, is significant,” said Pete Teel, Ph.D., AgriLife Research entomologist, College Station. “At risk is the economy of the Texas cattle industry and the more than 400,000 cattle producers throughout the southern region of the U.S.”

Cattle fever ticks, known scientifically as Rhipicephalus annulatus and Rhipicephalus microplus, can carry the microscopic parasites that cause bovine babesiosis or cattle fever. These are the only two tick species that can transmit the disease. Once an animal is infected, these parasites attack red blood cells resulting in acute anemia, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and a high fever.

TAHC and USDA-CFTEP are currently working to determine the extent of the spread of the ticks and to trace the source.

Tracking tick locations

Cattle fever tick close up photo
Close up picture of a live cattle fever tick. (AgriLife Photo)

“When producers observe ticks on their livestock, it is imperative they contact their local TAHC livestock inspector or region office, USDA inspector, private veterinarian or local AgriLife Extension office to arrange for collection and submission of tick samples to the TAHC laboratory in Austin,” said Andy Schwartz, DVM, TAHC executive director, in a recent press release. “This extra surveillance protects the Texas cattle industry.”

So far, ticks have been found on cattle outside of the permanent quarantine zone in Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Jim Hogg and Willacy counties. Traditionally, the southern counties of Texas bordering Mexico tend to have the biggest problem with fever tick disease. Both cattle fever ticks and bovine babesiosis are endemic in the neighboring states of Mexico.

An area of a half million acres, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville to north of Del Rio, makes up the permanent quarantine zone. There are now over a million acres quarantined outside of the permanent zone.

“One of the outcomes that often comes back to AgriLife from concerned citizens is the impact of trace-outs from these infestations and how that affects producers, livestock owners and land managers who may be temporarily quarantined until it can be determined that fever ticks have not spread,” said Teel.

AgriLife Research has a long history of dedicated joint research efforts in support of the U.S. cattle industry and the regulatory agencies responsible for the USDA-CFTEP. AgriLife researchers and specialists have formed a support group and all of the agency’s county agents in infected areas are up to date on the latest information.

Anyone with questions or concerns may reach out to their local AgriLife Extension office. The TAMU TickApp for smartphones is also an informative tool.

“More than one-third of the U.S. fed cattle are produced in this region of Texas,” Teel said. “U.S. cattle are naive to bovine babesiosis and mortality is estimated to exceed 70% in naive cattle. There are no protective vaccines or approved drugs. Our focus is to prevent the only vector, cattle fever ticks, from spreading further across Texas.”

Cattle fever eradication efforts began in the U.S. in 1906 and were declared successful in the 1940s. Periodic incursions have been occurring in Texas since the 1970s. Teel said the expansion of native and exotic game, diversification of animal enterprises, changes in land-use, brush encroachment and variation in climatic cycles have all contributed to the challenge of warding off incursions.

“We ask that livestock producers help us in protecting the nation from fever ticks by being proactive when purchasing cattle from counties with known fever tick infestations,” said Schwartz. “The TAHC and USDA-CFTEP operate public dipping vats along the Texas-Mexico border and in a few South Texas counties where producers can voluntarily take their cattle to be treated before returning home.”

Horses, deer and exotic livestock may also host cattle fever ticks. Transportation of any of these hosts can spread cattle fever ticks. Once the ticks are discovered on a location, it is quarantined. Once under quarantine, the cattle and other susceptible animals are prescribed a treatment program until the ticks can be eradicated from the area.

“AgriLife is fully engaged in research projects directly focused on improving technologies, tactics and strategies to prevent these ticks from becoming re-established in the U.S. and thus preventing outbreaks of bovine babesiosis,” said Teel.

AgriLife Research, 4Ry and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are also currently working on collaborative research projects to develop additional means to more efficiently and effectively kill cattle fever ticks on cattle, other livestock and wildlife.

Stinging Caterpillar Season Starts

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Hickory tussock caterpillar. (John Ghent, bugwood.org)
Hickory tussock caterpillar. (John Ghent, bugwood.org)

AgriLife experts warn stinging caterpillars can cause contact rashes, painful reactions

by Susan Himes, Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

As the weather warms up and people begin spending more time in their yards, parks and forests, more people will be coming home with a rash or bug bite.

However, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts say before you blame a flying insect or a poisonous plant for a skin ailment, you may need to consider another culprit – stinging caterpillars.

“Spring foliage has brought on an abundance of caterpillars, a few of whom carry irritating or even venomous hairs,” said Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management for schools statewide specialist, Dallas.

“We normally have fact sheets available for schools this time of year, but with most children out of school due to COVID-19, we wanted to make sure parents are aware that there are stinging caterpillars in Texas, what they look like, and how to avoid them,” she said.

Stinging caterpillar species include the buck moth caterpillar, spiny oak slug caterpillar, hickory tussock moth caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar and Io moth caterpillar.

Perhaps the most painful caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth caterpillar, also known as the asp or puss caterpillar. An encounter with a puss caterpillar is very painful and may even require a trip to the hospital, according to AgriLife Extension experts.

What stinging caterpillars look like

Puss caterpillar. (AgriLife photo by Wizzie Brown)
Puss caterpillar. (AgriLife photo by Wizzie Brown)

Hurley said she recently received her first tussock moth caterpillar question – confirming that just about every species of stinging caterpillar has now been spotted in our state.

“A good rule of thumb is if a caterpillar looks ‘fuzzy’ — don’t touch it,” said Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management and entomologist, Bexar County.

Although many fuzzy caterpillars are not dangerous, do not pick up a caterpillar unless you are sure it is not of the stinging variety. The puss caterpillar, for example, looks deceptively soft and can be especially tempting for children to want to pick up or “pet.”

“These teardrop shaped caterpillars look touchable, but they are not,” emphasized Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management for Travis County. “Asps have spines attached to venom glands that can lead to a nasty sting, rash and other issues.”

Caterpillar sting symptoms and treatment

Saddleback caterpillar. ((Jerry A Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.)
Saddleback caterpillar. ((Jerry A Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.)

“Since these caterpillars tend to hide, you may not even know you’ve encountered one until you feel the sting,” Hurley said.

If you are stung, you may feel immediate pain and reddish colored spots may appear where spines entered the skin. Some people may not feel pain until several minutes after they are stung, while others can experience intense throbbing or radiating pain. Other people may not feel much discomfort, and a red rash may be the only telltale sign.

Brown said different people respond to caterpillar toxin differently. “Some people may have a more severe reaction than others, and where on your body you are stung and the thickness of that skin can affect your reaction too.”

If the caterpillar is still on you, immediately brush it off if possible and then use tape to remove the spines that may still be in your skin, Brown said.

Washing the area with soap and water and applying an ice pack to the sting may offer some relief, and an oral antihistamine may help to relieve itching. Over-the-counter insect sting and bite relief products can also help.

“The pain often goes away within an hour,” said Mike Merchant, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension urban entomologist, Dallas.

Other symptoms after a sting can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, respiratory stress or shock. Since reactions to the toxins from stinging caterpillars can vary, seek medical advice or treatment immediately or go to an emergency room if you are concerned. Merchant also stressed that any contact with eyes or an allergic reaction to a sting requires immediate medical attention.

Stinging caterpillar habitat

Spiny oak slug caterpillar. (Jerry A Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.)
Spiny oak slug caterpillar. (Jerry A Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.)

“You are more likely to encounter stinging caterpillars when they leave their host plant in search of a spot to pupate, which is currently happening with many caterpillars,” said Keck. “They aren’t aggressive and won’t come after you, but they can drop from trees.”

Keck has reported sightings of both buck moth caterpillars and tussock moth caterpillars in the Bexar County area already this spring. Texans statewide need to be on the alert and keep an eye on trees and shrubs for caterpillar development, which typically occurs now into the fall.

Some common tree hosts are apple, basswood, cherry, dogwood, elm, maple, plum and oak, which is a favorite of the buck moth caterpillar. Some stinging caterpillars may even be found on crops such as corn.

“Adult puss moths emerge in late spring or early summer to lay several hundred eggs on favored host trees,” said Merchant. “Caterpillars may also be seen feeding on dwarf yaupon and other shrubs. One to two generations occur each year, though southern flannel moth caterpillars tend to be more common in the fall.”

Pest management

Io moth caterpillar. (AgriLife photo by Bart Drees)
Io moth caterpillar. (AgriLife photo by Bart Drees)

Avoid stinging caterpillars by not sitting under trees and wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, although even that is no guarantee of protection.

“I had the misfortune of getting an eastern buck moth caterpillar on my pants the other day and accidentally brought it inside,” said Keck. “When I rested my hand on my leg, I encountered the hairs/barbs and it didn’t feel good. It itched and left an uncomfortable feeling on my thumb for a couple hours.”

Keck said there isn’t much you can do about managing these caterpillars until they all pupate and go away. You don’t need to worry about harm to your garden however, as stinging caterpillars typically do not do enough feeding to harm plants.

Buck moth caterpillar. (AgriLife photo by Patrick Porter)
Buck moth caterpillar. (AgriLife photo by Patrick Porter)

If you have large populations of stinging caterpillars and decide you need to try to manage them, you can try Bacillus thuringiensisvar. kurstaki, BTK. However, this will also kill all the non-stinging or “good” caterpillars, which are an important food source for songbirds. You may also look for a pesticide with active ingredients such as spinosad or azadirachtin, which are naturally derived products.

Merchant said puss moth caterpillars can also be controlled when they become abundant by spraying with a residual pesticide such as permethrin, cyfluthrin or similar sprays labeled for control of caterpillars on ornamental plants.

“The best solution to dealing with stinging caterpillars may just be educating adults and children on what these caterpillars are, what they look like, and the importance of not touching them with bare hands,” concluded Merchant.