Gypsy moth advice

Dear Editor:

As my sister in Tottenham area, two brothers in Midland and my sister in Arnprior have all had serious outbreaks of gypsy moths in their area, I thought it wise to protect my oak tree, since gypsy caterpillars love those trees the best and are capable of completely defoliating any tree.

They will eat poplars, birches, maples and even cedars and spruce trees. If you live in town and have only a few trees on your property, you can protect them by putting burlap around the base about a foot and a half in width overlapping at the edge. Then tie a piece of binder twine tightly around the top part about a third of the way down. Pull a flap down from the top to the edge of the string.

The caterpillars come down for water after munching away at the leaves, and then go back up again. They will get stuck under the flap and then you can pick them off and either immerse them in a couple of inches of water in a pail or squish them with your foot.

I got 100 the first day and the amount has diminished each day in just a few days. For the last few days I have had none. With just a few trees, it is easy and effective.

Christy Doraty, Fergus