North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[paul simon <paul.simon@tcs.wap.org>]

> This year's starting out much heavier with forest tent caterpillars 
> than last year, as expected.  Have done 2 sprays of BT (kurstaki). 
> Works amazingly well. They seem to prefer apples and plums over 
> pears so far.
> Last year my wife found a powder form of BT (by dipel) hoping what 
> is left over would last better than the liquid kind we can buy 
> locally.   I can attest it does as I applied at the low dosage rate 
> using year old powder ( 2 Tablespoon per gallon)  in my solo 
> sprayer.  Next morning the ground was littered with the bugs.  First 
> year I have used a Solo, very pleased, friend got it for me at an 
> auction for 5 bucks too,   just sent off for the adjustable tip. 
> Took an hour, and 1.5 gallons to spray about 200  -  3 to 4 year old 
> trees. Del
>
> Del Stubbs  www.pinewoodforge.com  ag zone2/3

Del, Did you get a backsprayer? I purchased one through e-bay, 4 
gal., but have yet to use it. The newer ones have a diaphram or 
piston pump, and can go up to 60, or about 90 psi. I paid too much 
for mine, but the bidding was active. Have my second 2.5 gal. sholder 
strap Solo sprayer. The first split across the bottom after 10 years.

We have some tent caterpillars on the wild cherries (central 
Maryland) when they leaf out each year. Have seen some on my apple 
trees, but they never gain a foothold with me.

Paul Simon, MD zone 6, twix Balto un D.C.