I live in Southeast CT and 2 years ago we were inundated with gypsy moth caterpillars after 2 prior dry spring and summer conditions. Many of the Oaks and Maples were killed by them especially in Northeast CT where the infestation was incredibly bad. I used tape around the 100 year old sugar Maples which were infested in my yard. Fortunately we had a spurt of wet humid weather and the maimenga virus, which is the ONLY natural killer of gypsy moths, was activated and killed them back. So far we have been fortunate not to see this infestation in the last 2 years with moist, humid weather in July. Unfortunately the birds do not eat the caterpillars or the moths and they have no natural predator.
As far as the Starlings, they are prolific in my area and clean out the bird feeders daily, causing other birds to not stop when they are there. I am going to try the pan and wooden spoon trick to drive them away from the feeders since I have a horrible time harming anything. Thanks for this tip, hopefully it helps!
I live in Southeast CT and 2 years ago we were inundated with gypsy moth caterpillars after 2 prior dry spring and summer conditions. Many of the Oaks and Maples were killed by them especially in Northeast CT where the infestation was incredibly bad. I used tape around the 100 year old sugar Maples which were infested in my yard. Fortunately we had a spurt of wet humid weather and the maimenga virus, which is the ONLY natural killer of gypsy moths, was activated and killed them back. So far we have been fortunate not to see this infestation in the last 2 years with moist, humid weather in July. Unfortunately the birds do not eat the caterpillars or the moths and they have no natural predator.
As far as the Starlings, they are prolific in my area and clean out the bird feeders daily, causing other birds to not stop when they are there. I am going to try the pan and wooden spoon trick to drive them away from the feeders since I have a horrible time harming anything. Thanks for this tip, hopefully it helps!