The first technique is the sticky barrier band. This prevents the caterpillars from crawling up the trunks of the trees into the canopies where they feed. This sticky band should be in place before the eggs hatch, before the end of March, and must be maintained all season. This barrier band can prevent the primary invasion of newly hatched caterpillars from those egg masses found on houses, picket fences, leaf litter, woodpiles and lawn furniture. It will also prevent secondary invasions of caterpillars including those caterpillars that dangle from silk threads to be moved by the wind, those that fall out of the tree due to wind and rain, and those that migrate out of already defoliated trees in search of food.
Homeowners can either buy a commercial sticky barrier band or make a homemade band.
Commercial sticky barrier bands may be hard to find as this product comes and goes depending on current gypsy moth trends. If commercial sticky barrier bands are hard to find, one can be made by using duck tape and tanglefoot. Simply apply the duck tape around the tree so the sticky side will adhere to the bark. Then take a stick, or tongue depressor, and apply the tanglefoot to the duct tape. Tanglefoot can also be found at home and garden centers.