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RTEC Treecare

Expert Tree Care in the DC Metro Area | Call 703-573-3029 to talk to a Tree Care Expert.

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Did Halloween Come Early This Year? What’s Causing Webbing In My Trees

Resources: Tree Problems

Photo Credit: Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service , Bugwood.org

You may have noticed spider-like webs showing up on your bushes and trees recently. In some areas, the webs are so prevalent that it looks like trees and bushes have been decorated for Halloween. The culprit? Fall Webworms. 

Our Arborists report seeing an abnormally high population of Fall Webworms this year. This insect is a native caterpillar that builds webs and feeds on shade trees, ornamentals, and shrubs. Despite the name, Fall Webworms tend to show up in August and early September. If left untreated, these insects will defoliate numerous branches and possibly the entire tree. Between the defoliation and giant webs, this pest turns trees into an eyesore. But it’s not just aesthetics, the defoliation caused by this pest can weaken the tree causing an overall drop in health and increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases, especially in newly planted or stressed trees. 

Species Targeted By Fall Webworms:

Fall webworms target almost all shade, fruit, and ornamental trees except conifers. In the United States, about 90 species of trees are regularly affected. In our area, our Arborists suggest keeping an eye on your hickories, walnuts, elms, birches, cherries, redbuds, willows, oaks, mulberries, crabapples, and maples. 

Signs & Symptoms Of Fall Webworms:

To spot Fall Webworms keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms below.

  • Webs constructed around leaves at the end of branches
  • Hundreds of larvae, excrement, and dried leaf fragments will be in the webs
  • Webs will make jerking movements when the caterpillars are alarmed.
  • Defoliation
  • Caterpillars on your tree and shrubs
    • Young larvae are pale yellow with two rows of black marks along their body
    • When fully grown, they are covered in white hairs that originate from black and orange spots
  • Fall Webworm - Larvae and Webs
    Photo Credit:Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
  • Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Development
  • Photo Credit: James B. Hanson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Fall Webworms Or Eastern Tent Caterpillars?

Homeowners commonly mistake Fall Webworms as Eastern Tent Caterpillars. Despite similar symptoms and looks, you can easily tell these insects apart by the time of year you see them in. Fall Webworms appear during late summer/early fall while Eastern Tent Caterpillars appear during early spring. Overall Fall Webworms tend to do less lasting damage to trees/shrubs than Eastern Tent Caterpillars because they defoliate the tree later in the year. The reason late-season defoliating pests don’t do as much damage, is because the tree has already had a good amount of the season to collect and store energy from photosynthesis. Giving the tree enough energy to push out new leaf growth next year. Although any defoliation over 25% will begin to affect the vigor of the tree no matter what time of year, causing health issues and increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases.

Fall Webworm Treatment:

Thankfully, you can easily control Fall Webworms using systemic insecticide treatments and foliage insecticide sprays. Depending on the severity of the infestation, the location of the tree, and the tree species our Arborists will recommend some version of manual removal, treatments to kill the webworms this season, and preventative treatments to keep them from coming back next season.

If you think your tree/shrubs have Fall Webworms, we can help! Book an appointment with an arborist online or call 703.573.3029 

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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