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Something is eating my White Cedar
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Posted by larua NSW Aust (My Page) on Sat, Mar 1, 03 at 22:40
Hi, it looks as though something is eating the leaves of my young white cedars. There seem to be bite marks but when I look at the branches I can't spot the culprits. Is there a common pest for Australian White Cedars and if so, what is the treatment? They are starting to look unwell.
Thanks for any help you might be able to offer.
Larua |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| Is it those dreadful hairy catterpillars that seem to come from nowhere and eat all the leaves quickly. They all follow along very close together in a trail, and itch like mad if you happen to touch one. They just love white cedars. |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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- Posted by rockon SE Qld Aust (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 3, 03 at 16:56
| Yes those hairy grubs are on the move now. My wife sprays the tree all over and the ground surrounding it/them with CHLORPYRIFOS 500EC. I don't know if it is available from your local gardening centre. We obtained it from a commercial rural supplier as a ant mover. I had trouble with green ants around my vegie garden (seems to work on red jumper ants also), I don't think it kills the ants, they just move camp due to the chemical polution, as we still have plenty of ant. But now they are not around the edges of my vegie beds. |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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- Posted by Zyfert NSW Australia (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 3, 03 at 18:41
| White Cedars seem to be the favourite food of the hairy caterpillar. During the day they live at ground level beneath the mulch at the base of the tree. At night they climb up and devour the leaves. I used a surface spray with some success otherwise some other sort of chemical such as suggested above. A friend suggested a barrier around the lower trunk/base of the tree such as grease. Otherwise tie a hessian bag around the base of the tree and you will find them all under there during the day. Then you can dispose of them. |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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- Posted by larua NSW Aust (My Page) on
Sun, Mar 9, 03 at 5:21
Wow, thanks everyone. I have seen those little hairy buggers around, just never on the trees. They will be dealt with!
Laura |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| You can also put a barrier of something smooth such as plastic around the trunk that the caterpillars cannot negotiate. They cannot get back up. |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| Hi All, you could also try a ring of Vick's Vapour Rub around the base to stop ants grubs, and if you have Tip Moth/Grub they chew the tips out of them you could try some neem oil spray on them also. Good luck. Peter R |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| Lebaycid used at 2.5mls per 5 ltrs(systemic & expensive) kills em on contact and Carbaryl if used at 30grms wettable powder to 5 ltrs with a wetting agent and sprayed on leaves will poison them when they feed(cheap). The worst damage I get to my White cedars is done by Red Tailed Black Cockatoos. ATB teddy,J |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| Does anyone know of an organic and safe pesticide treatment for this caterpillar? Our white cedar tree is being eaten for the 3rd year in a row and the caterpillars are everywhere, including in the house. We have kids and dogs so I don't want to spray. I tried a garlic spray and salt but they didn't work. I'm wondering should I tie a hessian bag around the base of the tree and then catch the little blighters and destroy them? Would this be enough? Any help greatly appreciated. |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| There is a biological treatment for caterpillars called "Dipel". I dont know if it would be effective on a tree or that particular type of caterpillar though. It comes in a powder that you just mix with water and spray on the leaves. It is available everywhere(Nurseries and hardwares). |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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WARNING
Before taking any action on caterpillars, you should know that you will be in massive trouble with Paul(Spearboy) if he finds out about it! See "Caterpillars" in Gardening in Oz.
Bryan |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| sprinkle ant rid powder on them they fall to the ground instantly and die only require treatment once it works |
RE: Something is eating my White Cedar
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| Yes the hessian skirt works. After they collect put hessian loaded with grubs in bucket of hot water. |
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