Refuse and recycling carts at the curb
Streets & Urban Forestry
  1. Make-up Leaf Collection Attempt has Ended

    Return of wintry weather has ended the make-up attempt for residents that had a November 30, 2025 set out date.

    Visit the yard waste website for additional details.

  2. Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (January 19, 2026)

    No curbside collections on 1/19/26. Drop-off sites & offices also closed.

    Use your collection schedule to learn when to set out carts due to the holiday.

    Drop-off sites & offices reopen 1/20/26 on posted hours.

Spongy Moth

The spongy moth is an established invasive pest in Madison. In caterpillar form, it eats leaves off trees, causing defoliation.  It thrives during dry conditions.

Spongy moth caterpillar. This is early in their development. Photo was taken in early May 2024.

Why the Spongy Moth Matters

The defoliation is troubling to see, especially when its beautiful mature oaks and other beloved trees go from full canopies to losing leaves to these ravenous invasive caterpillars.

Unlike the emerald ash borer, the caterpillar is not fatal to trees by itself. 

Losing leaves adds a lot of stress to trees.  If you add this stress on top of other problems trees face, like drought conditions, issues with our changing climate, problems with other pests, or repeated defoliation from this caterpillar, then it gets harder for a tree to recover. 

New Name for an Old Pest

In 2021, this moth's name was changed by the Entomological Society of America as part of their Better Common Names Project.

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Urban Forestry