How to Keep a Gypsy Moth Off Plants

Clean up your yard, as this makes it less inviting to gypsy moths. Dispose of leaf litter, sticks, cardboard, tires and any other debris in which the gypsy moths and their larvae can nest.

Inspect your trees every spring for gypsy moth egg sacs. The sacs are between 1½ and 2½ inches long and have a brown, suede-like appearance. Slip on a pair of work gloves, detach the sacs and drop them in a metal can. Burn the sacs, or flush them down the toilet.

Tie a thin piece of burlap around the trunks of trees or the stems of plants that gypsy moths frequent. The gypsy moths will congregate under the burlap during the day, making it easy for you to collect the pests and place them in a can for burning.

Wrap a single layer of duct tape around the main stems of plants or the trunks of the trees affected by adult gypsy moths – at least 1 inch in length or longer. Coat the tape with a sticky substance such as petroleum jelly that will trap any gypsy moths that dare to cross. Remove the tape and place it in a can for burning after it's collected the pests.

Keep plants and trees in good health with proper maintenance and watering. Remove any dead limbs or foliage by clipping them off with a pair of pruning shears or a saw. Remove any dead trees and plants or those that show signs of illness. Gypsy moths prey on weak specimens.