Toward evening, the cater pillars come out of hiding and migrate up the tree to feed on the leaves. This change in behavior by the larger gypsy moth caterpillars gives homeowners a chance to do some small scale control activities. Using cloth and string or twine, you can construct an artificial hiding place for the caterpillars. Cut the cloth 12 to 18 inches wide and long enough to wrap completely around the tree about chest high. For best results, let the skirt be slightly ruffled so that it is easy for the caterpillars to hide beneath both sections of the cloth.
Caterpillars collect under the cloth during the morning hours as the day begins to warm up.
For best control, sweep the gypsy moth caterpillars from underneath the cloth into a bucket of soapy water every day. The soapy water kills the caterpillars immediately. Begin banding when you see caterpillars on the tree trunk during the day, usually in early to mid-June. Remove the bands when the caterpillars begin to pupate in July. Tie the cloth band with string or twine.