Oakworm Control

Oakworm Pest Control

The oakworm presents a unique challenge to the health and vitality of oak trees throughout the western United States. This larva of the oak moth grows up to three centimeters long and feeds on the tender undersides of oak leaves leaving nothing but the skeleton of the leaves behind. Recognizing the signs of oakworm infestation is crucial for timely oakworm control to ensure the preservation and protection of our cherished oak landscapes.


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Experienced Oakworm Exterminators

Oakworms are nightmare pests that target oak trees during the spring and summer. At EcoGuard Pest Management we are experienced and knowledgeable in all forms of oakworm treatment methods from local treatment to foliar sprays. EcoGuard utilizes integrated pest management (IPM) and we have been providing oakworm control services since 2008. Our oakworm control methods are proven to be effective and they are implemented by trained professionals who know how to safely treat your home.

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Why Professional Oakworm Treatment is Necessary

EcoGuard has proven oakworm treatment options

The need for professional oakworm treatment stems from the challenges associated with the control of these pests due to the considerable height of the infested oak trees. While the younger oakworms might be vulnerable to a variety of insecticides available for home use, the ability to apply these treatments is often out of reach for most amateur gardeners and homeowners. The lack of equipment capable of effectively spraying high into the canopies where these caterpillars feed means that by the time these pests descend closer to the ground they have developed a resistance to pesticides. It is important to ensure that the pesticides are effectively applied to avoid this outcome. 

Oakworm Damage

Oakworms pose a significant threat to the health and aesthetics of oak trees and can lead to extensive damage that manifests in various forms. In the spring and summer, healthy oaks can experience defoliation which is a result of thousands of oakworms feeding on their leaves. The damage can range from partial to complete defoliation, with leaves often appearing skeletonized or entirely consumed before turning brown and ultimately dying. When added to other stress factors like drought, the impact of an oakworm infestation can accelerate the decline of affected trees. Mature oaks, while sometimes able to withstand a single defoliation event, are vulnerable to twig dieback and other forms of stress-induced damage following repeated infestations. 

Oakworm Treatments

To effectively manage and mitigate the impact of oakworm infestations, a variety of treatment options are available that are tailored to the specific needs of the affected trees and the severity of the infestation. These treatments are best applied by professionals due to the need for specialized equipment and expertise:

  • Preventative Treatments: Applying preventative pesticides in early spring, ideally 4-6 weeks before oakworm activity is expected can help prevent infestations in known areas.
  • Immediate Response Treatments: For active infestations, rapid-response treatments using targeted pesticides are recommended, followed by sequential applications for extended control year over year.
  • Biological and Chemical Controls: The use of microbial insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or horticultural oils can target young larvae, while contact insecticides are necessary for larger caterpillars.
  • Soil Injection: Delivers treatment directly to the tree's root zone, with effects becoming evident in 2-3 weeks.
  • Foliar Spray: Direct application to the foliage and bark. This option is most suitable for addressing smaller larvae and providing immediate relief to the tree.

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When to Treat for Oakworms

Timing the treatment for oakworms effectively requires regular monitoring due to the cyclic nature of their populations, which can vary significantly from year to year. This means that oakworms may be a common sight in some years while virtually disappearing in others. This leads to outbreaks that do not follow a predictable annual pattern. For this reason, indiscriminate spraying without prior monitoring can often be a waste and environmentally irresponsible. Early detection of an increasing oakworm population allows for the timely application of treatments. This approach ensures that treatments are efficiently applied to account for the current level of oakworm activity while applying only when and what is necessary.

Oakworm FAQs

  • How do you get rid of oakworms?

    To effectively get rid of oakworms, it's essential to engage in regular monitoring to identify the presence and abundance of caterpillars. Once oakworms are detected, treatment options range from employing the least-toxic pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for young larvae during the early stages of infestation to considering professional pest control services for applying systemic treatments or targeted sprays which can ensure comprehensive control. Additionally, enhancing tree health through adequate watering and soil care can support the effectiveness of these treatments.

  • How long do the oak worms last?

    Oakworm infestations typically follow a seasonal pattern, with caterpillars emerging and feeding from spring through late summer depending on the region and weather conditions. The lifespan of individual oakworms from egg to adult moth spans several weeks to a few months. However, the presence and severity of infestations can vary year to year, with some years experiencing minimal activity and others seeing significant outbreaks.

  • What birds eat oak worms?

    Many bird species, including warblers, orioles, and sparrows feed on oakworms which make them natural predators that help control oakworm populations. These birds can often be seen foraging among oak trees during oakworm infestations to take advantage of the abundant food source provided by the caterpillars. Encouraging bird presence in affected areas through bird feeders or nesting boxes can augment this natural pest control method.

Additional Pest Commonly Treated

See our Pest Library for a full list of insects we treat for. If you don’t see what you are looking for give us a call. We are always here to help! EcoGuard Pest Management provides eco-friendly services for both residential and commercial properties.

Why Choose EcoGuard?

EcoGuard approaches each job with integrated pest management (IPM) as our primary focus. IPM is defined by using “Pesticides that pose the least possible hazard and are effective in a manner that minimizes risks to people, property, and the environment, and are used only after careful monitoring indicates they are needed according to pre-established guidelines and treatment thresholds.” Our proximity to the subject property allows us to closely monitor all pest activity and employ the highest standards of IPM available today.

In addition to customized IPM strategies, we care about our customers and being a family owned and local business we treat everyone like our neighbors. In addition to being reputable and standing by the highest standards of customer service we also offer:
  • A pest free guarantee 
  • Green & ecofriendly pesticides that are state approved
  • Licensed, bonded, and insured services
  • Competitive pricing 

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