Gypsy Moth Spray Update, May 31, 2017
GYPSY MOTH AERIAL SPRAYING UPDATE – May 31, 2017
COMPLETE: Aerial treatments are complete in the following counties for this year: Dane, Eau Claire, Green, Lafayette, Pepin, Richland, Sauk, Sawyer, Trempealeau, Vernon and Washburn. NOTE: Counties in which Btk treatments are completed, but still remain to be treated with mating disruption are: Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Douglas, Dunn, Grant, Polk, Rusk and St. Croix.
WHAT: Gypsy moth aerial treatments by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Slow the Spread (STS) Program. The STS aerial program for 2017 consists of 51 treatment sites, involving approximately 170,000 acres in 18 counties, mostly in western Wisconsin.
WHEN: Late June/Early July. Specific dates to be determined.
WHERE: Maps of treatment sites and a progress chart can be viewed online at: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/GypsyMoth.aspx
WHY: The spraying is necessary to control the spread of gypsy moth, a destructive and invasive pest that feeds on the leaves of oaks, maples, crabapple, birch and many other species of trees and shrubs.
PLAN DETAILS: All treatments scheduled Wednesday, May 31st in Douglas, Wasburn, and Sawyer counties were completed as planned. All Btk treatments are now completed for the year. Pheromone treatments will begin in late June or early July, with dates to be determined.
TREATMENTS: Pheromone treatments will be applied in select areas.
- Aerial pheromone treatments consist of application of liquid droplets containing the gypsy moth pheromone to the forest canopy. The trade name of the product used is SPLAT Gypsy Moth Organic. This pheromone or chemical signal is used by male gypsy moths to detect and find females.
- The liquid pheromone does not directly kill any gypsy moths. They are applied to interfere with the adult male moth’s ability to find a female, thus preventing reproduction. Female gypsy moths are flightless and release this pheromone to signal their presence to males.
- Similarly, the applied liquid pheromone also releases this chemical signal. The male moth then tracks and follows a false trail and, finding no female, no reproduction occurs. The same pheromone also is used as a lure to catch gypsy moth males in traps. The pheromone is unnoticed by other insects and does not interfere with their lifecycle.
OTHER DETAILS: Spraying can start as early as sunrise and will continue until the day’s plan is complete and as weather conditions allow. Spraying requires calm winds, high humidity, and no precipitation.
The planes will fly low, just above the tree tops. They will be loud.
Spraying does not affect organic certification.
The liquid pheromone is not toxic to people, bees, animals, birds, or plants.
People who have allergies may wish to stay indoors or leave the area until spraying is done. Pets or livestock may be frightened by the noise of the low-flying planes, so keep them indoors or watch them.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Spray updates will be available as a recorded message on the toll-free hotline 1-800-642-6684, press 1. You also can get instant updates by connecting with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/widatcp) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/widatcp). You can also send an e-mail to gypsymoth@wisconsin.gov.
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