Warm weather means canker worm problems start early

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hiding in Charlotte treetops, canker worms are back nearly a month earlier than expected.

There are currently a higher than normal number of the worms hatching.

“The new leaves are just starting to come out on the end of the branches, and that’s what the fall canker worm is going after,” said city arborist Don McSween. “I would say they are probably a month ahead because usually they’re hatching right at Easter.”

Plaza Midwood resident Asele Carlisle is keeping a close eye on the canker worms that fall from the willow oak hanging over her back yard.

“(It’s) worse than last year. I think we saw significant improvement after the aerial spraying that the city did. Unfortunately, I think we’ve maybe rested a little bit in our campaign and they’re coming back,” Carlisle said.

It’s not just the trees to worry about, either. The wind will carry the canker worms onto shrubs. To protect those, use an organic caterpillar killer that uses ingredient B-T. The pesticide can be found at any garden center.

Spray it over any shrubs or bushes for the following week.

The city continues to push residents to band their trees in November to catch the worms early, but it’s important to make sure the bands are still sticky now to catch the newly hatches worms before they can damage the leaves.

In 2008, the city sprayed the central and western areas of Charlotte, keeping the worms under control. However, an increasing population of worms are hatching across the eastern and northeastern parts of the city, officials said.

WSOC