Ball moss is not a moss, but a true plant withflowers and seeds. It is a member of the bromeliad family, which also contains Spanish moss and pineapple. Epiphytes are plants that attach themselves to limbs, tree trunks, power lines, fences, and many other structures with pseudo-roots. These are not true roots. If you take careful notice, you will observe the majority of these dead limbs are in the interior of the tree's canopy.
Ball moss prefers an environment with low sunlight intensity and high humidity.
If it is a light infestation and does not bother you, control is not necessary. Each method alone may not provide adequate control. Using a combination of all three methods results in the most thorough treatment. Picking involves physically pulling each plant off the tree. This method can be very effective, but is extremely tedious and labor intensive.