Creepy Crawley

Do any of you have this problem? Look at my crabtree, it's almost completely covered with a web like substance...inside that web are a gazillion worms. I think they are acually called cocoon tree worms. We had a few last year that I was able to just trim off the branches. It's worse this year. My neighbor said to get a newspaper, roll it up and light it and burn them off. Are you kidding me?? I would probably burn down the tree and all the other trees anywhere near it! Hubby says any insect repelant should kill them off so we bought some the other day and hopefully he'll take care of it tomorrow because, frankly, they make me itchy and twitchy just looking at them. I have nightmares of waking up and finding the house enclosed in a web! Help Me!! When I start a blog entry entitled "creepy" it's usually about the Creepy Woods...this is much creepier!
Look close...don't be scared...inside is all worms...Ok, I think I need to quit looking because this totally creeps me out!
This is how they start out...just clumps of webby cocoons. Here they are on our trees near the side yard by the creek.
This is another crabtree right in front of the house..can you see the weblike cocoons on it?
On to a totally different subject..This year was a washout for any viney plants I had. My zucchini plants only gave me about 5 nice zucchini, and my pumpkins died out with only these little tykes that I saved..pretty pathetic if you ask me. (I know you didn't ask, but humor me)
And this little number:I received this basil as a gift but I've never seen such a small leaf basil..has anyone cooked with this? Isn't basil usually larger leaf? I know I'm a dummy about this, so please help and enlighten me...can I really cook with it? It sure smells nice anyway! Sorry it's so blurry..I had the camera on the wrong settting!