Texas Gardening: Bug Babble!, 1 by podster

podster wrote:
Red oak caterpillars ~ what do they become? Where do they come from and what the heck good are they!

Hate 'em! Every fall, they strip a large red oak that my patio encircles. They steal all the leafs I wanted to mulch and compost, they mess all over the patio and furniture. When you are out there, you can hear it raining cat mess. Don't look up! If it does rain, it turns to green yucky @#&*.

So, what do I do? A friend suggested trying his home remedy this winter. He circles his pecan trees thickly with wood ashes. He has virtually no problems with the web worms (?) that affect pecans. Is it worth a try or will it just add more nasty mess to the patio.

Help! This bug makes me want to babble!