If you didn’t know – I’m a bug lover. Bugs, butterflies, frogs, toads, I’ve even picked up the occasional garden snake in the garden. I used to feed the birds, but between the Coopers Hawks and the Eagles – they made me nervous to let Coco out.
Anyhoo, I noticed on Friday that there was some activity in this nest. I hadn’t paid too much attention to it, until I noticed the caterpillars out and about. From a little Internet research I think these are Eastern Tent Caterpillars, but I only think…I’m not 100% sure.
The bug site I was reading said if these are the dreaded Eastern Tent Caterpillars they should be eradicated, but they are so cute and fuzzy and since I’m not 100% sure – I decided to let them be.
I raised a school size Painted Lady Butterfly kit about a decade ago and found it to be great fun. When they were ready I took them to a secluded park and released them to hopefully multiply.
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Having lived through the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar outbreak in New England when I was a kid, I don’t envy you your new neighbors.
I hate bugs! If I had seen them I would have run to the store for some raid. Yes, I love to look at butterflies, and yes, I know that they have to be ugly bugs to become pretty winged creatures, however, I have nightmares about bugs. Sorry, bugs creep me out!
I, too, am a lover of insects. I generally try to escort any in the house to the door rather than killing them. However, what you have are indeed tent caterpillars and if you let them stay put they will likely eat all the leaves off your tree. They are cute, though.
In answer to your Title Question…YES! Those are pests and they need to be eradicated. And really…did you have to add that you picked up a snake. Ugh
Love, the Nature Lover