February 2022 has been recognized as Browntail Moth Awareness Month in Maine to encourage people to take advantage of the dormant season of the insect and join together to reduce impacts from browntail moth (BTM).
BTM populations in Maine have been in an outbreak phase since 2015 and the pest cannot be eradicated. Most areas of Maine, especially settled areas with significant host tree populations such as oak, apple, crabapple, pear, birch, cherry, or other hardwoods, are at risk of infestation by the caterpillars. While long-lasting tree defoliation and branch dieback are major concerns, BTM's microscopic, toxic hairs can cause trouble breathing and skin irritation similar to poison ivy from a few hours up to several weeks.
The Maine Forest Service (MFS) Forest Health and Monitoring Division coordinates within state government, local communities, and directly with citizens to respond to this issue. Winter is the best time to clip and destroy BTM winter webs within reach or hire licensed arborists or pesticide applicators to reduce out-of-reach populations. Comprehensive BTM information and tools compiled by MFS, Board of Pesticides Control, Maine Center for Disease Control, the University of Maine and other partners including research, infestation tracking, FAQs, and educational resources for communities, municipalities, businesses, and healthcare providers, are available on maine.gov/dacf/knockoutbtm.
What You Can Do
Winter is the best time to determine what your risk is for exposure to browntail moth in the coming spring and summer. Caterpillars overwinter in tight webs at the ends of tree and shrub branches. This short video below has an introduction to recognizing and removing browntail moth webs.
How to Remove Browntail Caterpillar Nests
Use extreme caution if burning webs. Never burn unless the branches have been clipped off. This type of burning requires a burn permit. For more information, please visit www.maineburnpermit.com and check the daily forest fire danger report.
Be sure to visit the Browntail Moth page at the Maine Forest Service for all the latest news, learning resources and events around Browntail Moth management.
Also check out our Stewardship Blog post from January 2020, Browntail Moth Management in Winter.
Content provided by Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service, January 27, 2022