Pellets Dropping On Roof From Overhanging Tree – What Is It From?

Q: I think I have an infestation of gypsy moth caterpillars in a large tree whose branches hang high over my covered porch. The dropping pellets sound like it is raining on the roof all day long. 

A: You certainly have caterpillars in your trees but they are probably not gypsy moth caterpillars. The Georgia Forestry Service diligently observes trees in north Georgia each year looking for small infestations. If they find one, they use traps and sprays to eliminate it before it can grow larger. It’s far more likely you have orangestriped oakworms or contracted dantana moth caterpillars. Both of them feed voraciously in fall but really don’t damage trees enough to worry about controlling them.