The City of Winnipeg’s head forester said the population of tent caterpillars in the city is high this year and by next year there could be a significant infestation.
According to Martha Barwinsky, the pest will go after almost any type of tree. "These populations have a cycle of about 12 to 15 years so we are just at the beginning of the next infestation," said Barwinsky.
"If we go by previous experience, it could be a dramatic increase", she said.
The city said the caterpillar are not a big problem yet and they haven't started spraying trees.
According to lawn care providers, the caterpillars can rid a tree of leaves in just a matter of days.
Barwinsky said new trees are more vulnerable and the more leaves that are stripped from a tree, the higher its risk of dying.
The population of tent caterpillars is particularly high in the Transcona area now. 50 trees were sprayed in the area of Kenaston Blvd. & McGillivray Blvd.
Barwinsky said homeowners can use raid, insecticide to kill the caterpillars or knock down the caterpillars from trees and throw them out.
- with files from Beth Macdonell
