[Tejas TJ]

So I've been preping the exterior of the house to paint and today I ran into 12 dead Asps on the brick trying to work their way into the attic. These suckers are coming from a massive Elm tree next to the house. I'm considering having the tree removed before spring so no one gets the wrath of these suckers.

How do you guys control these things?

 

[witegoat]

I'd say if you live in the country just burn the tree because cutting it down can be dangerous and still can leave some behind. We've never had asp problems but that's all I can think of.

Sent from my Android

 

[Hemisphere2]

WTF is a ASP?:confused013:

 

[Tejas TJ]

I live on the edge of town so I can't burn it.

Asps are also called puss caterpillars. There isn't anything about these things that make them a Puss though. If they touch your skin their fibers break off in your skin and the venom will F you up. I've never been stung but I've heard stories and my dad took off running when he saw one on the fascia board on my house.

This has altered my plans to build a fire pit below the tree this winter.

 

[Hemisphere2]

Ouch!! Glad we don't have those buggers around here!

 

[JohnCTD]

No clue how to control them, but I've had one get on me before and HOLY $&!+!!!! Horrible horrible horrible.

 

[WillM]

What hapens exactly? How do they "mess you up?"

 

[abbike]

From a Google search:

The Puss Moth Caterpillar, aka the "Asp"

This is one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. This caterpillar may infest shade trees and shrubbery around homes, schools, and in parks. They are of little importance as enemies of shade trees, but they can cause a severe sting. When a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against skin, venomous hairs stick into the skin, causing a severe burning sensation and rash.

Puss moth caterpillars can pose a genuine health hazard. Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar. Stings on the arm may also result in pain in the axillary (armpit) region. Erythematous (blood-colored) spots may appear at the site of the sting. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, intense abdominal distress, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, and sometimes shock or respiratory stress.

 

[Tejas TJ]

That's awesome... I guess I'll be calling around getting quotes on having this nice shade tree removed.

 

[Ern3st]

Talk to an exterminator before you do that. Where in texas are you? Ive never even seen one of those before.

 

[WillM]

If I were you I'd try spraying it myself. Usually the stuff the sell in the stores isn't very potent, and is like candy for bugs, but it would be worth a try.

 

[BClineCoke]

I would use tnt with c4 and put about 20 gallons on diesel on the tree just to make sure.

 

[landtrain]

Been there done that!!! Those things are no joke!!

We call em fur turds around here. Buddy had 3 trees behind the trailer infested. So, put the wheels on the trailer...move it. Mixed up 20 gallons of gas and diesel, soaked the whole trees using sprayers and water guns. Best bon fire to date.

No more fur turds.

Sorry about the infestation! I know it sucks!

 

[Tyler irvin]

Yea asp are no junk that's foresure!!

 

[Silver70]

Dang, so that's what those are... My parents have a few of those in her back yard. Luckily I didn't go and pick one up lol.
I'll be sure to let her and my dad know. Looks ill get to have some fun with some fire.

Her house is near madisonvile tx between Houston and Dallas.

 

[michaelg_814]

I used an insecticide that goes by the name tempo to kill wasps and what not. This stuff is no joke. Within seconds of being sprayed they were done! It maybe be something worth looking into. You can get it at feed stores, its concentrated and have to mix with water. Its pretty hardcore but it may be your solution.