The winter moth is an invasive species from Europe whose population has exploded since the 1930s when people introduced them to the USA. If you have a winter moth problem, you will need to know how to identify it and deal with it.

Read on for more information on the winter moth, including what it looks like, where you can find them, and what to do about them. By the end of this article, you should understand what you need to to do handle the insect in your area.

What Is the Winter Moth?

The winter moth is one of the Maryland insects you should worry about if you look after trees. The creature is famous for attacking hardwood trees and killing them over the course of four years.

The insect has a mottled brown appearance on the top of its wings and a white or creamy texture underneath. Its caterpillar is a very pale green, meaning it can often blend in with most foliage.

Where Can You Find Them?

You can find winter moths in any of the following locations:

• Connecticut
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vancouver Island
• Washington

While the following will not always call out winter moths, if you have any of the following trees you should be aware that they are a favored food of the moth:

• Apple
• Beech
• Birch
• Blueberry
• Cherry
• Chestnut
• Elm
• Hornbeam
• Larch
• Maple
• Oak
• Pear
• Poplar
• Raspberry
• Rose
• Willow

Symptoms of an Infestation

To find a winter moth in southern Maryland, you should look for holes in the leaves of plants. The caterpillar larvae are famous for causing this kind of damage as they grow, even when too small for a casual observer to see them.

In spring, these holes will become more obvious and you may end up seeing the caterpillars themselves. As the caterpillars descend from the leaf canopy on silk threads, you may be able to spot them.

What To Do About Winter Moths?

The best way to treat the winter moth in an environmentally friendly is to call on the services of an exterminator that cares about nature. If you wish to undergo winter moth control yourself, though, you should investigate insecticides.

For the best protection, you should aim to find a trunk-injectible insecticide. Not only will this kill off any of the moths at the time, but could also provide ongoing protection for years at a time.

What To Do Next

Now you understand the dangers of the winter moth, you are on a path to solving any problems you have with them. But if you still have questions, it is a good idea to get in contact with a professional.

We offer our services in the Southern Maryland area so that you can get pest problems dealt with. If you have any questions about what we can do for you, or even if you want to deal with the issue yourself with our help, give us a call. We will be able to help you.