Spongy moths (formerly called gypsy moths) are one of Michigan's most destructive pests. Their caterpillars can completely strip your oak trees bare, and repeated defoliation can kill them. We protect your trees before the damage is done.
The spongy moth (formerly called gypsy moth) is an invasive species whose caterpillars devour the leaves of hardwood trees, especially oaks. The name was officially changed in 2022 — the "spongy" refers to their distinctive sponge-like egg masses. A single female can lay 500 to 1,000 eggs, making populations explode rapidly.
The caterpillars are dark with distinctive blue and red dots along their back, growing up to 2 inches. They eat leaves around the clock during their 6-8 week feeding period.
They prefer oaks but also attack maple, birch, and apple trees. Heavy defoliation can completely strip mature trees, and repeated years of damage can kill them.
Females lay tan, fuzzy egg masses on tree trunks, branches, fences, and outdoor furniture. Each mass contains hundreds of eggs that hatch the following spring.
Watch for these signs on your Michigan property:
Oak and other hardwood trees with leaves that appear lacy, full of holes, or completely stripped — especially in June and early July.
Dark, hairy caterpillars with blue and red dots crawling on tree trunks, branches, and nearby structures during late spring and early summer.
Fuzzy, tan, oval-shaped egg masses (about the size of a quarter) on tree trunks, branches, fences, outdoor furniture, and building walls.
Tiny, dark pellet-like droppings (frass) accumulating on the ground, decks, patio furniture, and cars parked beneath infested trees.
During heavy infestations, caterpillars fall or descend on silk threads from trees, landing on people, cars, and outdoor living areas below.
Michigan is one of the states hardest hit by spongy moths in the entire country. Our state's abundant oak forests provide a massive food source, and outbreak years have seen hundreds of thousands of acres defoliated across Michigan. The Ann Arbor, Jackson, and Lansing areas — with their beautiful oak-lined neighborhoods — are prime targets.
Spongy moth populations cycle between outbreak and non-outbreak years, but Michigan homeowners with valuable oak trees should not wait for an outbreak to protect their property. Early treatment and egg mass removal are the best defense against losing trees that took decades to grow.
We protect your Michigan trees with a comprehensive approach that targets every stage of the spongy moth life cycle.
We inspect your trees and property to assess the threat level, identify egg masses, and determine which trees need protection. We check tree trunks, branches, fences, and structures for hidden egg masses.
We apply professional-grade treatments timed to the caterpillar feeding period for maximum effectiveness. Our products target spongy moth caterpillars while minimizing impact on beneficial insects.
We physically remove accessible egg masses to reduce next year's population and set up monitoring to catch new activity early — protecting your trees season after season.
We use targeted treatments that minimize impact on beneficial insects while effectively controlling spongy moths.
We understand Michigan's spongy moth cycles and know exactly when and how to treat for maximum tree protection.
Timing is critical for spongy moth control. We schedule treatments during peak caterpillar vulnerability for best results.
Over 200 five-star reviews from Michigan homeowners who trust us to protect their properties.
The spongy moth was formerly called the gypsy moth. The name was officially changed in 2022 because the old name contained a slur. "Spongy moth" refers to the sponge-like texture of the egg masses. The insect and its destructive behavior are the same — caterpillars defoliate hardwood trees, especially oaks.
They prefer oak trees but also attack maple, birch, poplar, willow, apple, and crabapple trees. Michigan's abundant oaks make the state particularly vulnerable. Heavy infestations can completely strip a tree's leaves, and repeated defoliation over two or more years can kill the tree.
Eggs hatch in late April to May. Caterpillars feed for 6-8 weeks, growing to about 2 inches with blue and red dots. Peak defoliation occurs in June and early July. Adults emerge as moths in mid-July to August to mate and lay next year's eggs.
Michigan has experienced some of the worst outbreaks in the country. During peak years, caterpillars have defoliated hundreds of thousands of acres. A single female lays 500-1,000 eggs, so populations explode quickly. The Ann Arbor, Jackson, and Lansing areas are particularly vulnerable.
Healthy trees can usually survive one year of defoliation. However, two or more consecutive years of heavy defoliation combined with drought can kill even large, established trees. Early professional treatment is critical to protecting valuable oaks in your landscape.
Don't let spongy moth caterpillars destroy trees that took decades to grow. Call now for professional tree protection.
Call (734) 436-3017 Now