Spanworm (Inchworm) Information
"What should I do?"
You don't have to spray insecticides on your property if you don't want to. Letting nature run its course is a perfectly acceptable plan of action for taking care of elm spanworms. If you do decide to take preventative measures against the elm spanworm infestation, the best posible choice is to hire a professional to treat tree's and shrubs with Btk.
Tips
- The City of St John's has released an excellent pamphlet on the topic of elm spanworm infestation in St John's. Lots of supplemental information can be found online. A link to said pamphlet can be found at the top of this page.
- Btk can be purchased at some garden stores for the "Do-it-yourselfer's", however larger tree's will require the service of a professional pest control worker.
- If your neighborhood has not been effected as of yet by spanworm infestation then spraying with Btk may be unnecesary.
- Sticky bands that wrap around the trunks of infected tree's have been promoted as a method for controlling elm spanworm infestation. Tanglefoot is one such product. While these products may reduce infestation they are not nearly as effective as use of certain insecticides.
Useful Links
- Elm Spanworm Pamphlet, City of St John's (PDF)
- Worming them Out, The Independant
- The Great St John's Worm Invasion, Megan Harrison
- Bruce Spanworm Info, Natural Resources Canada
