Fall Webworms in Sweetgum: Web Removal and Organic Control

Those Webby Nests in Your Trees Are Fall Webworms

Silky tents at branch tips on sweetgum, pecan, or maple in late summer = fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea). They started building in June but become noticeable now. They're unsightly but rarely threaten tree health.

Simple Controls

• Physical removal: Pull webs down with a long pole; destroy caterpillars
• B.t. spray: Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel, Thuricide) applied into/around nests
• Natural enemies: Wasps, birds, and predatory insects penetrate webs

Don't

• Burn webs (fire hazard, damages tree)
• Spray broad-spectrum insecticides (kills beneficials)
• Panic—one generation per year; trees recover fully