Where are they found?

Although browntail moths are active from April to June, they also create winter webs in New England’s trees.

They make their white silk winter webs at the ends of tree branches; the webs are normally two to five inches long and are filled with the toxic hairs. These hairs can remain toxic for one to three years. Once the moth hatches from its cocoon, the small hairs can be released and easily stirred up by wind, raking, mowing, sweeping, etc. 

Sometimes, you may not even spot the browntail moth caterpillar, but can come into contact with its toxic hairs while working in the yard or playing outside. The rash, although it may feel like poison ivy, is different. The browntail moth rash doesn’t cause oozing like poison ivy, but is still extremely itchy and very uncomfortable.