Caterpillars

[maggie01]

I found what I think are tent caterpillars on a shrub yesterday. Quite gross. I have removed them and cut off the sticky branches. Is there anything I can do to stop them coming back

[Jackdaw33]

When I was a child caterpillars were everywhere. I haven't seen one now for over 50 years.

[alavahalf]

Treat the plant concerned with a light detergent and water mix, apply it with a sprayer.

[maggie01]

Jackdaw 33. I can't.add a picture but.there must have been about 40 of.them in like a little tent

[maggie01]

alavahalf Thanks . I will try that

[Buenchico]

The RHS says that they're 'an important part of garden wildlife' and should be tolerated:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=898

[Smowball]

Yes I agree with Buenchico. We don’t see enough of them these days

[maggie01]

If I leave them, they are going to kill my plant It was all sticky. It's been there 12 yrs

[Gill1941]

We need all the caterpillars we can get. The plant will recover. I had large caterpillars on my pussy willow last year. They stripped half of it. The tree is fine this year. Have caterpillars on my stinging nettles,this year which is good.
Forty years ago I had lots of butterflies and moths in the garden. Now there are virtually none. Mankind is bringing about it's own destruction by killing all the wildlife. Particularly the pollinators.

[Old_Geezer]

Can be rather than should be

I don't see why they can't be an important part of meadow wildlife instead.

[woofgang]

OG because they will only eat certain plants.

[Chipchopper]

Can you say what the shrub was, which they were on and describe what the caterpillars looked like, as many are species specific ?

TA.

[maggie01]

They are tent caterpillars. Black with yellow line down Thier back They make like a hammock and lie in there. The plant has white spike like flowers but can't remember what it is.

[Chipchopper]

Can't say for sure what they are (hopefully not toxic).
The method you have used is less likely to have an impact on any other wildlife.

[Tilly2]

Leave them for the birds, Maggie.