Q: I have been told that the little black balls on my deck are caterpillar poop from the trees above. Do I need to use a mask and rubber gloves and bleach to clean up or will hosing them down be sufficient?

A: I am not a doctor nor a toxicologist but I can’t imagine that caterpillar feces are any more dangerous than those of other creatures. I would use the same caution you use when dealing with animal manure in your garden or dog droppings on your lawn.