Updated at: 23-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

To get rid of the asp caterpillars in your yard, are you seeking for strategies to do so? You may have noticed a bunch of little moths flitting around your well-kept garden as you walked through it. Until you took a long, hard look at the moth that just landed on one of your beautiful plants, you probably didn’t realize it was a problem

What types of caterpillars sting?

Stinging caterpillars in your home may be flannel moth caterpillars, so keep an eye out for them. The fuzz on these caterpillars resembles flannel, hence their common name. These caterpillars have delicate hairs that conceal deadly spines when they are young. You’d get a rash and stinging on your arm if one crawled across it.

Asps are the common term for these caterpillars, but don’t confuse them with the deadly snakes of the same name. Poisonous asps, on the other hand, are common throughout Texas. They can be seen lurking in the shadows of trees and bushes in your own backyard, and they’ve also been known to congregate around schools.

Asps and Other Stinging Caterpillars - Insects in the City

Caterpillars classified as asps can be one of two types:

  • Caterpillars of the southern flannel moth
  • a caterpillar from a puss moth

Because of its long, silky hairs, the larva of the southern flannel moth seems like it could be made of cotton, wool, or even fur. Southern flannel moth caterpillars have fur that is yellow, reddish brown, or gray, though there may be a mix of these hues. Long, orange hairs cover the wings of adult moths, which become cream as they get closer to the underside. The black fur on the legs usually makes them stick out and is a dramatic contrast to the rest of the body.

Lifecycle of a stinging caterpillar in Texas

When it comes to pest control, Natran is a firm believer in integrated pest management, which is a combination of common sense and scientific expertise. Stinging caterpillar biology is an important part of this strategy. We may do things to make our homes less inviting to asps and other house intruders if we understand their life cycles and behaviors. Pest control will be less necessary, and there will be less chance of a full-blown infestation.

Late spring and early summer is a good time to see mature puss moths. When they emerge from their burrows, they’ll deposit hundreds of eggs in the branches of trees. While they prefer oaks, huckleberries, and elms, these caterpillars lay their eggs in just about any surrounding tree, including pecans. You may notice one or two generations of puss moths in neighboring trees during the course of the summer.

Although they are more common in the fall, southern flannel moths are able to reproduce swiftly.

Planting trees and shrubs away from your home can help prevent an infestation. Plant plants along a fence instead of along the side of your house. Trim trees and shrubs near your home’s entry points if you have any. Insects will have fewer places to hide if trees and vegetation are pruned. Asps are likely to be spotted before they get into your house.

Southern flannel and puss moths both produce cocoons throughout the winter, which can be discovered near the foot of a tree or hanging from the branches of a shrub. You’ll see a trap door-like structure at the top. The grownup will finally emerge from there. The caterpillar’s color influences the cocoon’s appearance. The cocoon may be reddish brown, yellow, or gray since the caterpillar will use its own hairs to create it.

Caterpillars will emerge from their cocoons in the early summer or late spring, and they’ll continue to lay eggs for the rest of the year.

A Closer Look at the Asp Caterpillar

With its long hair and flannel-like wings, the asp caterpillar, or puss caterpillar, is noted for its distinctive look. For those of you who aren’t already aware, this is a dangerous stinging critter that you don’t need in your botanical garden. When the weather is exceptionally dry, avid gardeners are more likely to come upon these creepy crawlies.

They look cute and furry

Gray, yellow, blonde or reddish-brown are just some of the colors these unpleasant insects come in. Their shape resembles a teardrop. The asp caterpillar, on the other hand, is distinguished by its long, silky hairs that resemble fur.

When youngsters see them, they typically exclaim how cuddly and fluffy they are. Touching these caterpillars is a common blunder. As a result, you should tell your children not to play with it if they find one in your garden.

They feed on foliage

When it comes to tree and shrub foliage, the asp caterpillar is just like any other caterpillar. Elm, oak, pecan, hackberry, and holly leaves would be no problem for them to eat.

Puss Caterpillar [BEWARE] Control and Kill Stinging ASP Caterpillars

They’re extremely dangerous

While these pests are unlikely to cause significant harm to your prized plants, they can be harmful to you and your family members. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to the sting of hornets.

Anyone who comes into contact with the venomous hairs of an asp caterpillar will become infected.

Anyone who gets into contact with these caterpillars is in for a nasty surprise. It’s also worth noting that as the asp caterpillar grows older and larger, the more venom it contains.

What Happens to a Person Who Gets Stung by an Asp Caterpillar?

People who have been stung by an asp caterpillar report instant discomfort at the site of the sting. There will soon be a reddish grid-like pattern seen on the sting site. Interestingly, the design resembles that of the deadly spines on an asp caterpillar.

Additionally, splitting headaches, nausea, and vomiting are all possible side effects. The sting of an asp caterpillar can also cause trouble breathing or shock, which are more significant side effects.

Tips on How to Get Rid of Asp Caterpillars

Take care if you come upon an asp caterpillar. These fuzzy, fleecy yard bugs may appear innocuous, yet they are capable of great harm. Here’s how to get rid of asp caterpillars without harming yourself:

Tip #1: Protect yourself and your family

Everyone in your household should be told to avoid the area if an asp caterpillar infestation has been discovered. Next, make sure you’re dressed appropriately to deal with the situation.

Don’t visit infested areas without a wide-brimmed hat, a shirt that’s buttoned at the neck, and strong rubber gloves since these creatures might quickly drop out of trees without you noticing. As frequently as possible, inspect your clothing. The best way to get rid of an asp caterpillar is to remove it with your gloved hand and put it in a jar of soapy water. These organisms should be disposed of in the sewer.

Tip #2: Don’t lean against anything without checking the surface

In case you didn’t know, asp caterpillars tend to leave their feeding spots in search of a site to spin a cocoon. They may be spotted crawling through the contaminated garden as they move from one location to another. Because of this, it is advised to avoid sitting or leaning against any surface without first checking for the existence of these caterpillars.

Tip #3: Use rosemary oil

It’s possible to use rosemary oil as a pesticide. What’s even better is that they won’t hurt the helpful insects that eat the asp caterpillars. Squirt rosemary oil into a squirt bottle. Every asp caterpillar you observe should get a spraying of this poisonous substance.

Experts advise against using typical pesticides to get rid of asp caterpillars. If you use insecticides that kill the natural predators of the asp caterpillar, you run the danger of another infestation the following season.

Tip #4: Use Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt)

Bacillus Thuringiensis is the most effective remedy if you don’t want to deal with these caterpillars yourself (Bt). A naturally occurring bacteria in soil has been shown to kill asp caterpillars by damaging their stomach lining. Dust or spritz your plants with Bt, whether it’s powdered or liquid.

Bt is safe for humans, plants, pets, and other helpful insects, so there’s no need to be alarmed. Besides asp caterpillars and some other worms and moths that can wreak havoc in your garden, it isn’t harmful to humans.

How to avoid asp stings

In addition to being harmless to the environment, asps do not need to be removed from your yard unless there are an excessive number of them. For your family, the most important thing you can do is educate them about asps and the best ways to avoid them.

If you live in Houston, you’re likely to see asps in your backyard, so educate your children on their appearance. Educate your children about dangers they may encounter while playing in the backyard using books or online resources. Make sure your kids don’t pick up any little, fuzzy bugs they discover on the ground to avoid getting bit.

Additionally, you and your partner should know what these pests look like and how to offer first aid in the event that it is required. Review the steps to take and keep an eye out for any evidence of these caterpillars or their cocoons in your trees and bushes.

Your first aid bag should also be fully stocked and ready to go in case someone is bitten by an asp while hiking. Make sure you have antihistamines and ice packs on hand so that you can address the issue quickly. Whether you have a child who is allergic to insect bites and stings, ask your doctor if there are any further precautions you should take in case someone is stung.

Puss Caterpillar Control: How To Get Rid of Puss Caterpillars | DIY Puss Caterpillar Treatment Guide | Solutions Pest & Lawn

What to do when asps get out of hand?

If you’re vigilant about trimming neighboring trees and bushes, southern flannel moths and puss months shouldn’t be too much of an issue in your backyard. There are many ways to prevent caterpillars from getting into your home, including weatherstripping around your doors and fixing holes in your siding. If you see any cocoons on your property, you can also relocate them to the perimeter of your property.

It’s not uncommon for us to get occupied with our daily routines. Keeping up with schoolwork and a full-time job can leave little time for looking up and seeing the silken moths and cocoons that are accumulating on your porch. It’s almost inevitable that someone will be stung if you have a large number of asps on your property.

To get rid of an infestation of asps, you’ll need a green pest management specialist. It can feel like an asp invasion in your yard and all around your house, but with the support of Natran, you won’t have to go it alone. When a Natran specialist visits your home, he or she will conduct a thorough assessment of your surroundings and look for possible entry ways for asps. An asp infestation can be worsened by the presence of a huge tree near your house. Your pest control professional can offer advice on how to reduce the likelihood of a future infestation by asps.

After that, your Natran expert will devise a plan to eradicate the asps from your home and property. We exclusively use botanical-based pesticides because we believe in doing no harm to people, animals, or the environment. We are confident that these products will efficiently combat pests while causing the least amount of environmental harm possible. Because we’ve been using these solutions for so long, we can vouch for their efficacy in eliminating pests.

If you have any more queries about green pest treatment, our specialists are always available for follow-up visits and are pleased to answer them. Whether you’re looking for advise on how to get rid of bugs in your Houston home or want to know how to get rid of them, our specialists are here to help.

Asps are a part of everyday life in Houston, so it’s impossible to avoid them. In order to avoid being stung, you should learn to identify and avoid them, as well as be prepared with first aid supplies in the event of an emergency. You can also prevent asps from building cocoons near your home by keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed. Tell us: What are your year-round strategies for dealing with asps on your property? Let us know what you think about our green pest control services in the comments section below.

Planning to Give Greenhouse Gardening a Try?

Don’t put yourself off from learning how to grow plants in a greenhouse. In addition to being able to better manage the environment in which your plants grow, this method can also help keep asp caterpillars at bay. Get rid of asp caterpillars quickly now that you know how to prevent their spread!