Spruce trees not healthy (I got worms)

[Dewey Cox]

Most of the spruce trees around my place are looking droopy, and weird.
I had a close look today, and could see worms or caterpillars that looked almost exactly like the needles on the tree.
Do I need to take measures to kill these critters? Are they going to kill all the trees in my yard?
If I spray them or something, are they just going to move back in from surrounding trees?
I appreciate any insight you guys have to offer.

[drhu22]

I misinterpreted the title... it read like your spruce trees not being healthy had something to do with you having worms. I've had worms before and its not fun.

As for your problem I cant help, sorry.

[pitw]

If it were me I would spray them with Malathion. Not sure about where you are but our MD has a sprayer for rent that does a job.

[Ken H]

Originally Posted by pitw

If it were me I would spray them with Malathion. Not sure about where you are but our MD has a sprayer for rent that does a job.

X2. The culprit of your trees is called yelllow head spruce sawfly.

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by pitw

If it were me I would spray them with Malathion. Not sure about where you are but our MD has a sprayer for rent that does a job.

X3....ive got about 20 trees on my property and every year I get some sort of bugs in one of the trees that need controlling....

[ATF]

Yep.
I had them too.
They kept coming back every year even with spraying until the tree finally looked bad enough I had to cut it down.

[MR.K]

Spray as directed with Malathion (2 gal pump model works fine)
They will be on the ends where the new growth is
If you see any little red pods that look like they have spikes coming out of them pick them off and destroy

[prarie_boy1]

This year has been bad for tent caterpillars in a lot of areas. Having access to an aircraft we usually spray the yard sites with a BT product which isn't very toxic to humans and other animals and does a great job.