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Burlap Banding

Gypsy moth caterpillars can damage your trees! Gypsy moth caterpillars eat the leaves of many types of trees but prefer oak, beech, willow, apple, and birch. When gypsy moth populations are high, they can defoliate these trees and shrubs on your property.  Most trees can survive one year of defoliation, but one year of defoliation can be fatal to trees that are already stressed by drought, disease or other insect pests. Multiple years of defoliation can be fatal to healthy trees.   

You can help Fairfax County monitor these populations and at the same time protect your trees by placing burlap bands around your gypsy moth host trees. You can put up the bands after the caterpillars have hatched from their eggs in early May.  Continue to monitor the bands by checking underneath them for caterpillars throughout May and June. If you find caterpillars, they can be killed by dropping them in a jar soapy water.  Please notify the Forest Pest Branch at 703-324-5304, TTY 711, or by e-mail if you find numerous gypsy moth caterpillars on your property.

 

1. Tie a piece of string around the trunk of the tree at chest height. A piece of burlap should then be slipped between the string and the trunk of the tree until half the burlap is above the string. Fold the burlap over the string so it makes a flap. Photo Courtesy of John Bean	2. Continue this process until the tree is encircled with burlap flaps.  When checking for caterpillars, check between the burlap flaps and between the burlap and the trunk of the tree. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Schoppman

Burlap is sold at many lawn and garden centers, as well as fabric stores.  Burlap is also available wholesale in the Washington, D.C. metro area.  Check with your neighbors and consider purchasing large quantities as a group.  Limited amounts are available through the Forest Pest Branch.