Pesky tent caterpillar population on the rise in Winnipeg

CTV Winnipeg: Caterpillars descend on Winnipeg Beth Macdonell reports on growing concerns over a possible infestation by tent caterpillars.

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