Some of them may escape and return back in other seasons so, yes, apply Bt now and ALSO in future years. But, start applying Bt in Spring 2018 a month before the problem was detected this year. Repeat as directed. Do this until they no longer are an issue. I agree; these guys can be a pain.

I have nothing to add........these creatures are unfamiliar to me. I don't think they are present here in the PNW. The only thing that bothers my hydrangeas are root weevils occasionally munching on the leaves. And the dang deer!!

Around here the infestations only happen well before bloom time, and the plants just grow right through the problem area on the stem and bloom anyway. They've not affected my bloom at all, just ruined a few leaves. I don't peel the leaves open or anything.

Springwood,I continue to open pods everyday, on incrediball shown last yr picture, I probably open more than 50, if I don't open no flowers ... now x 20 or so plants that a lot time and work but better than winter proing my ES, next yr I'll try the BT spray

Yeah, sprays won't hurt much. If there's any time to do it it's *right* after they start filling out leaf-wise, because the infestations start rather quickly.

...and the leaf rolling business protects them from sprays!

I must have it too..saw just a few rolled up leaves..but lots with holes & discoloration..from a distance ok..but up close ugh..#1 Bella Anna (best it's ever looked & more blooms) #2 Annabelle..sounds like a common problem..

Gosh, I do not why but a lot of the people that get this and who post, they report the problem with H. arborescens. Those things/pests must have a sweet tooth for Annabelle (not saying they won't nibble a tad on the others though). ;o))

what a shame that a reliable hydrangea that blooms for those of us in cold climates has this problem..like springwood I haven't treated them..I just live with the imperfections..

Right now they don't look half as bad as they will after they fully bloom and that heavy storm hits where the whole plant splays out on the ground. :D

My Annabelles usually stay upright..planted them close to each other and haven't pruned much so the canes are old..my neighbor's collapse almost every year..she cuts them back and each shrub is planted alone..we've talked about why hers fall over more than mine..mine did flop once after a very strong storm..I had to cut them back a lot to make them presentable..

OK it’s that time again when the moths shows up in my yard ....just check my Annabelle’s and Incrediballs they are loaded with pods, just sprayed with Thuricide hope it helps... normally I just peel open the pod and squish the moth ...just had a couple of days in the high 80s and there they arehttp://www.heidihorticulture.com/2012/06/annabelle-hydrangea-leaftier-moth.html

Thanks for the reminder, Ed. I will need to find some Bt to use this weekend.

LOL Babs yes I put the Bt on but there were many pods ... so what do I do open the pods and squish the fish( Moth) there are SO small at this stage look like pepper