Effective Winter Moth Control Services in Maine
Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) is an invasive pest that has been affecting trees in Maine since the early 2000s. The larvae feed on the leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs, including maple, oak, ash, elm, and various fruit trees, leading to severe defoliation. Repeated infestations can significantly weaken trees, making them susceptible to other stresses and potentially leading to tree mortality. Mature larvae are light green with white stripes along their sides, measuring about half an inch in length. Adult males are light brown and capable of flight, while the wingless females are gray and rely on crawling to reach tree canopies for egg-laying.
Winter Moth Treatment Options for Maine Trees
Severe Winter Moth infestations can lead to complete defoliation of trees. While healthy trees may produce a second flush of leaves, this recovery puts them under significant stress. Research shows that defoliation can reduce the annual growth rate of oak trees by up to 47%, and repeated defoliations can result in major branch dieback or even full tree mortality.
Additional stressors such as prolonged cool springs (which extend the caterpillars’ feeding window), drought conditions, or other pests like bark beetles and fungal pathogens can worsen the impact.
At Hawkes Tree Service, we offer effective Winter Moth control options across Midcoast Maine. Our preferred method is a high-powered foliar spray, applied directly to the leaves during the early larval stage. As caterpillars feed on treated foliage, they ingest the product and are eliminated. We offer both organic and synthetic insecticide options to fit your preferences and ensure long-lasting protection for your trees.
Life cycle better explained
Winter moth larvae (caterpillars) emerge from eggs early in the spring when the buds of deciduous trees are beginning to flush, usually in early April. The larvae feed on the buds and the leaves until they reach maturity in early summer when they drop down from the trees and burrow into the soil to pupate (cocoon phase). In November, adult moths emerge from the soil and begin searching for a mate. Batches of eggs are laid on the crevices of tree bark where they are protected for the winter until they hatch the following spring.
Winter Moth Treatment Options in Maine
There are two primary treatment windows for managing Winter Moth infestations. The first is in late fall, typically November, when adult moths emerge. During this time, we recommend a manual method of wrapping the trunks of susceptible trees with sticky bands or tape. This technique traps female moths—who cannot fly and must crawl up the trunk to reach the canopy to mate.
By intercepting females before they release pheromones and attract males, sticky banding can significantly reduce the population before egg-laying occurs. This low-impact method is an effective early intervention option for homeowners in Midcoast Maine.
The second Winter Moth treatment option offered by Hawkes Tree Service is a targeted chemical application in the spring—timed for when larvae are actively feeding on tree and shrub foliage. We use systemic trunk and soil injections to deliver insecticides directly into the tree, allowing the product to travel through the vascular system and reach the leaf tissue where Winter Moth caterpillars feed. Once ingested, the larvae are eliminated, reducing damage and preventing further infestation.
We also offer high-powered foliar spray treatments, which coat the leaf surfaces with fast-acting products that are fatal to feeding larvae. Using specialized pump and tank equipment, we can effectively spray trees up to 90 feet tall, ensuring full canopy coverage for even large or mature trees throughout Midcoast Maine.
Winter Moth Treatments Near Water: Safe, Effective, and State-Approved
The State of Maine enforces strict guidelines on which treatment methods and products may be used for Winter Moth control within 250 feet of the mean high-water mark. These regulations are in place to protect nearby marine ecosystems and sensitive shoreline habitats.
For properties within this setback zone, Hawkes Tree Service recommends individual tree injections—either soil or trunk injections. Soil injections involve applying a small volume of systemic insecticide near the base of the tree, targeting the root flares where fibrous root hairs absorb the product. This solution is then translocated through the tree, delivering protection to the newly developing leaf tissue.
Trunk injections follow a similar principle. Our team drills a small hole into the root flare and uses a sealed needle system to deliver the systemic product directly into the tree’s vascular system. The tree naturally pulls in the treatment, and the injection site quickly heals and compartmentalizes.
Every property is different, and our licensed Maine pesticide applicators will help determine the safest and most effective approach for your landscape. Contact Hawkes Tree Service today for more information or to schedule a free Winter Moth consultation at (207) 442-7444.
