Asps

Cochran · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 11:56 PM

Does anybody else have a problem with asps? We are having a heck of a time combating the fuzzy suckers at our house this year.

What types of chemicals do ya'll find best for these suckers?

Our clients aren't having a problem with them, and nobody else in our area seems to be either, but for some reason they have invaded us this year. I've been stung twice and my husband no less than 6 times.

Everytime I walk outside, the asps are on our house and porch and they seem to be multiplying daily! Is there any effective way to knock them out and keep them from reproducing?

agla · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 07:05 AM

I'm not sure what you are talking about. I thought an asp was a snake. Are you talking about some kind of wasp?

Cochran · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 08:36 AM

What we call an asp is a hairy, stinging catepillar. The moth is called the Flannel Moth. The catepillar is very hairy and fuzzy starting off white and then shading to an orangy-tan hue.

We sprayed permetherin (sp?) yesterday.....it may help....

I've this image of an asp:

VoodooChile · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 08:43 AM

Please don't spray and pray! You could be harming beneficial insects that help control the asp population, while having no effect at all on the target pest.

Instead, try contacting your County Extension agent. If this is a common pest, they should have specific recommendations on control. An exterminator is another option.

Cochran · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 09:49 AM

Voodoo-our Extension website actually recommended the Permetherin. I kinda had the same thoughts about the chemical as it is a complete wipe-out chemical, but my husband went ahead and sprayed since our Extension website recommended to.

VoodooChile · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 11:10 PM

Good enough...your "it may help" made me nervous.

LandArts · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 07:33 AM

When I lived in Austin I learned to hate those things. The sting is about as bad as a bee sting.

Honeybee Texas · #8 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 10:48 PM

Well, in my days of working for someone else, I'd recommend the "Re-Start Program". This involves some leather gloves and plucking them from the plants and tossing them in your neighbors' yards. That's one method.

Now, I'd recommend BT. It's not a brand, but an agent sold commonly just by the name BT. You can find it around rather easily, and it is a caterpillar-specific killer that uses biological control mechanisms. HOWEVER, PLEASE ONLY SPOT-TREAT. DON'T BROADCAST OR YOU'LL GET RID OF ALL YOUR BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS.