What’s Up With Duct-Taped Trees Around Grand Rapids?

Have you even seen duct tape wrapped around trees in Grand Rapids and wondered what was going on?

Well it's not a prank or some weird ritual - there's actually a good reason for it! And it's something you'll see more often in the spring and early summer.

👇BELOW: KILL THESE INVASIVE PLANTS AND INSECTS IF YOU SPOT THEM IN MICHIGAN 👇

Duct Tape on Trees in Grand Rapids, Mich.

I saw a post in r/grandrapids asking what was up with the duct-taped trees in Grand Rapids' Richmond Park.

As many in the comments explained, it's to help get rid of an invasive species: The Spongy Moth. Keep reading to discover how the duct tape comes into play!

What is a Spongy Moth?

Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar, formerly "gypsy moth") is an invasive species that has been in Michigan for more than 40 years. The Spongy Moth puts Michigan's trees at risk.

UP NEXT: Michigan, USDA Says to Kill This Insect On Sight

Spongy moth egg masses can contain over 1,000 larvae that hatch into leaf-eating caterpillars. When the caterpillars significantly defoliate trees, the trees become weaker and vulnerable to diseases, which could kill them.

According to the Michigan DNR, here's how to identify a Spongy Moth:

Spongy moth caterpillars start coming out of their egg masses in April and feed on leaves through late June. The caterpillars are hairy, with a yellow and black head and 5 pairs of blue spots, followed by 6 pairs of red spots. Eventually they'll turn in to moths. On male moths' wings, you'll find a wavy pattern of brown to dark brown; they span 1.5 inches. Female moths are larger than males. They don't fly and their wings are white to cream-colored with black markings.

READ MORE: West Michigan Police Wrangle Wayward Rooster

How Duct Tape on Trees Works to Control the Population of Spongy Moth

The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation and Forestry divisions do their best to target and treat the most densely populated areas of Spongy Moth. In the past they've even asked community members to help.

This past summer, volunteers installed the bands on trees at Richmond Park.

They explain:

These simple tree bands created with duct tape sticky-side-out prevent the majority of young caterpillars from climbing the trunks and eating leaves.

Here's how you can help too:

Now through late April: Look for egg masses on tree trunks and scrape them into a cup of soapy water using a plastic putty knife or other dull scraping tool.

Egg masses are light brown, sponge-like in appearance and about the size of a quarter. Let them soak overnight, then bag and dispose of them. Michigan DNR says egg masses can also be placed in a fire and burned.

Late April through Late June: Wrap a double band of duct tape around tree trunks with the sticky side facing out to prevent hatched caterpillars from moving up the tree to the leaves.

You can find out more about Spongy Moth here.