Gypsy Moth Suppression
Much is being done in the
U.S.
and
Canada
to slow the spread of gypsy moth into uninfested areas but for most of us in the Eastern and Midwestern states, prevention is no longer an option. We are infested and will remain that way. But much can be done to prevent the nuisance and tree damage caused by gypsy moth.
Second instar gypsy moth. The ideal growth stage for B.t. spray
Gypsy moth suppression programs can be put together to handle a crisis situation or they can be ongoing, monitoring the gypsy moth population and spraying when necessary. Most people prefer the second method. This way they know the gypsy moth problem is being addressed each year and they can go about their activities with good assurance that the moth will not interfer. The ongoing suppression programs are also the most effective, with very high accuracy and success rates.
The monitoring is necessary to know where to spray so that time and resources are not wasted. The spray drives down the population so that the natural controls can have a chance to function. The monitoring is done in the fall and early winter. The spray is done in the spring about two or three weeks after the majority of the gypsy moth caterpillars have hatched. This is usually late April to late May.
The two main parts of any gypsy moth suppression program are: poulation monitoring and the acutal aerial spray.