Tent caterpillars can completely defoliate a very small tree, which can be a hardship, but trees can usually scrounge up enough energy to grow some new leaves. Thus, we don't usually consider these insects as "killers ". It's ugly but not lethal.

Chemical controls are not recommended. I usually try to break open those tents with a rake or a strong spray of water. Once exposed, tent caterpillars become prey for birds, predatory insects, spiders, reptiles and amphibians, and even squirrels.

I THINK ... some of the wasp sprays used to be labeled for such ...

but they leave the nest during the day.;.. and return at dusk ...

so the best time for spray.. IF YOU FIND AN APPROPRIATE ONE... is dusk

ken

What rhizo said, so that birds and other natural predators can get to them. Yes, most trees will soldier through them, but if you get rid of them once and it gets reinfested to the point of defoliation again, it's sure a stressor. Best weapon is a long pole. LOL

Yea I ended up just trimming those guys off. Its a small tree so didn't want to just leave them alone because it looked like they were laying eggs and eventually kill the tree. Thanks guys

The caterpillars weren't laying eggs.I suspect what you were seeing were small dark bits of stuff -- caterpillar poop.

Agreed, caterpillars can't lay eggs.

But the sure can poop!