The presence of the caterpillars of this moth rarely cause significant damage in gardens and it can usually be tolerated. Caterpillars and associated moths are important as a food source for other garden wildlife and so should be preserved where possible.

Check susceptible plants frequently from spring onwards so action can be taken before damage has occurred.

• Where possible tolerate populations of caterpillars, as butterflies and moths are an important part of the garden ecosystem
• Encourage predators and other natural enemies in the garden such as birds, hedgehogs and ground beetles
• Check plants regularly from late April for the presence of larvae and remove by hand where practical. When handling the caterpillars gloves can be worn as a precaution, although the hairs are visually striking they do not usually cause irritation.
• Caterpillars can be removed to larger host plants; on larger trees and shrubs whilst some parts of the plant may be defoliated this will have no effect on the long term health of the host plant and so can be tolerated
• If the egg-covered cocoons, on which this species overwinters, are spotted these could be removed to another host plant elsewhere in the garden