2008-03-06 #1

Aerial Spraying to Control Gypsy Moth Planned for Menominee County, Wisconsin

Release Date:  Monday, February 25, 2008
Contact(s):  County Forester, Jeremy Johnson (715) 799-5710



Aerial Spraying to Control Gypsy Moth Planned for Menominee County, Wisconsin

Keshena, WI -- Aerial spraying to control gypsy moth caterpillars has been proposed for Menominee County this spring in order to reduce gypsy moth populations and prevent the caterpillars from defoliating trees in the treatment areas.  The spraying will be done through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Gypsy Moth Suppression Program.  The location of treatment areas are select locations around Legend and LaMotte Lakes.  A small low-flying airplane will apply Foray, a bacterial insecticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, beginning early in the morning to two of five spray blocks.  Gypchek, a viral insecticide specific to gypsy moth caterpillars, will be used in areas where endangered butterflies or moths are found; which will occur to the other three spray blocks.  The spraying will occur between mid-May and early June depending on weather conditions, caterpillar development, and geographic location within Wisconsin.  Landowners and residents within the proposed treatment areas can request not to be sprayed by writing to Jeremy Johnson at P.O. Box 279, Keshena, WI  54135, (715) 799-5710.  These requests must be received no later than March 6, 2008 in order to be removed from the treatment area.

The Town/County of Menominee has scheduled a public information meeting for all interested residents of Menominee County.  Representatives from the Wisconsin DNR Gypsy Moth Program will be present to discuss the biology and control of the gypsy moth, and which areas of the County are proposed for treatment.  The meeting will be held in the lower level of the Menominee County Courthouse, W3269 Courthouse Lane, Keshena, Wisconsin on February 28, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.  Questions from the public can be directed to Jeremy Johnson at the phone number given above.

The gypsy moth is a serious forest and urban pest that was introduced into the United States from Europe in the 1860s.  Within the past few years populations in eastern and central Wisconsin have increased to the point that the caterpillars may kill trees by eating all of their leaves during May and June.  Aerial spraying will prevent this damage and will avoid other adverse effects such as nuisance caterpillars and skin rashes resulting from direct exposure to the caterpillars.