Biddeford · York County

Browntail Moth Treatment in Biddeford, ME

Browntail moth caterpillars strip the leaves from trees and their toxic hairs cause painful rashes and breathing trouble. Tree Medics helps Biddeford property owners get webs out of trees and keep caterpillars under control.

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Moth on a leaf in Southern Maine
Found inAll 16 Maine counties
Highest rash riskApril to July
Treat beforeLate May
Hairs stay toxicUp to 3 years

Browntail moth has been in Maine since 1904 and has been in an outbreak phase over a broader area since 2015.[1] The Maine Forest Service has found it in all 16 counties, including York County.[2] Populations can be heavy on one street and light on the next, so the best way to know about the trees around your Biddeford home is to look for winter webs. The Maine Forest Service also keeps a map of known populations.[3]

Browntail moth in York County in 2026

Maine CDC says browntail moth populations have been steadily decreasing over the past couple of years, with higher populations in 2026 in parts of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock and Oxford counties.[4] Even in a quieter year, a single infested oak or apple tree can make a yard miserable in spring.

Why browntail moth is a problem

Your healthToxic hairsMost people who contact the hairs develop a rash lasting a few hours to several days, and sometimes weeks for sensitive people. Airborne hairs can cause trouble breathing.[4]
Your treesDefoliationCaterpillars feed on oak, apple, crabapple, pear, birch, cherry and other broadleaf trees and shrubs.[5] Repeated defoliation weakens trees.
Your yardLingering hairsThe hairs remain toxic in the environment for up to three years, so they can turn up during mowing, raking and yard work.[2]

How we manage browntail moth in Biddeford

Fall & winterWeb clippingRemoving and destroying winter webs before caterpillars emerge, including webs high in trees that are out of reach from the ground.
SpringTree injectionSystemic treatment delivered into the trunk, with no spray drifting across your yard or your neighbors’.
SpringTargeted contact treatmentWhere appropriate, targeted treatments applied directly to affected trees.
All yearMonitoringChecking trees for new webs so problems are caught before caterpillar season.

Spray or injection?

Both are used for browntail moth in Maine. Near wells, the Maine Forest Service advises using tree injection rather than foliar spray or soil drench, to reduce off-site movement.[5] Speed and length of protection vary by product: some act within minutes and others take weeks, and injected products can remain active in trees anywhere from two weeks to two years.[5] One thing to avoid: insecticide capsules sold as Acecaps are not registered for use in Maine.[3]

Shoreline properties have extra rules.

Within 250 feet of the mean high tide mark along coastal waters, and upriver to the first bridge, additional rules apply to browntail moth treatments.[3] Like much of coastal Maine, Biddeford has many properties close to the water, so treatment has to be chosen with care.

Want the full picture? Read our complete guide to browntail moth treatment in Southern Maine.

Browntail moth and Biddeford

Local landscapeMaine Coast Heritage Trust helped the City of Biddeford expand its wooded Clifford Park by 53 acres in 2011 and holds a conservation easement that permanently limits development of the land.[6]

Browntail Moth help near Biddeford

Tree Medics is based in Biddeford and works throughout Southern Maine. We also offer browntail moth services in nearby towns:

Saco, MEKennebunkport, MEKennebunk, MEScarborough, ME

See all tree care in Biddeford.

Sources

  1. Maine Forest Service: Browntail moth management overview
  2. Maine CDC & Maine Forest Service: Browntail moth hairs pose risk during spring outdoor activities
  3. Maine Forest Service: Browntail moth information, treatment timing and map of known populations
  4. Maine CDC Health Advisory: Browntail moth (May 2026)
  5. Maine Forest Service: Browntail moth frequently asked questions
  6. Maine Coast Heritage Trust: Exploring Clifford Park
FAQ

Browntail Moth in Biddeford: common questions

Is browntail moth in Biddeford?

The Maine Forest Service has found browntail moth in all 16 Maine counties, including York County. Populations vary from street to street, so check nearby trees for winter webs and see the state’s map of known populations.

When should browntail webs be clipped?

The Maine Forest Service says populations within reach can be reduced by clipping and destroying overwintering webs between mid-December and early April.

When should trees be treated for browntail moth?

In most years, treatment should be effective before late May. Later treatments do little to reduce hairs in the environment or damage to trees.

How long does browntail moth rash last?

Usually a few hours to several days, and sometimes weeks for sensitive people, according to Maine CDC.

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Worried about a tree?

Many tree health problems can be managed when they are caught early. Reach out today for a professional evaluation.

(207) 303-7291 SaveMyTrees@TreeMedics.com

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Tree health care, pest treatment and tree injections for homes, businesses and towns across Southern Maine.

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