MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Thanks to our early spring, state officials say eastern tent caterpillars are among the nuisance critters making early appearances.

The creatures form webs and thick white tents in trees – and their larvae can eat up leaves.

The DNR says they’re already active in southern and central Wisconsin – and people should kill the tent caterpillars when they see them.

Experts encourage folks to scrape the caterpillars and their tents into soapy water buckets in the evening – and they should throw out the remnants the next morning.

The DNR says folks can also use insecticides on the affected leaves, and they can use sticks to destroy the tents and spray the area with a special insecticide soap.