Tactics include monitoring gypsy moth populations, maintaining the health and vigor of trees, enhancement and encouragement of natural enemies, and using insecticides to treat potential outbreak populations. Natural enemies Natural enemies play an important role in gypsy moth control during normal years of light infestations. Scientists are actively looking for parasites and predators of the gypsy moth, principally in Europe and Asia. Over 10 foreign biological control agencies have been introduced for control purposes. Natural enemies include wasps, flies, ground beetles, and ants.
Spiders eat many small caterpillars.
Birds such as chickadees, bluejays, nuthatches, towhees, and robins are control agents as are several woodland mammals like whitefooted mice, shrews, chipmunks, and squirrels. Gypsy moths have several diseases, caused by bacteria, fungi, or a virus. The NPV virus disease is the most destructive to this pest. When conditions are right, it will nearly eliminate gypsy moths in an area for a few years. The disease occurs, and works best in control after a long period of rain or during very humid weather when the caterpillars are feeding.