Unfavorable Weather may Further Delay Gypsy Moth Treatment

DNR may begin Delaware County gypsy moth treatment week of April 23

YORKTOWN, IN - As the larvae of the gypsy moth awaken for spring, the DNR will once again continue to fight to slow the spread of the gypsy moth in Indiana.

For more than 25 years the pest has been held in check and confined to comparatively small infestations, primarily in northern Indiana. This spring the DNR will treat an infestation in Delaware County.

The site is in west central Delaware County, north of Yorktown. A Web-based map showing the specific treatment site is available at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/pdfs/nebo%20roads.pdf

This spring's warm weather indicated an earlier start for treatments; however, the recent cold weather slowed leaf expansion and the hatch of gypsy moth eggs, so the anticipated first treatment planned for the week of April 16 will not occur. The revised date for the first treatment is the week of April 23, dependent on the weather. Should cool weather persist, the first treatment could be moved to the next week. If another change in date is necessary, a follow-up news release will be sent.

When the first treatment is made, application could begin at 6 a.m. (sunrise) and the flights would continue through the day as long as the weather and flight schedule permit. If rain or high wind prevents completion of the treatment flight, the balance of the site would be scheduled for the next suitable day. Cold weather and rain during the balance of this week may delay the emergence and maturity of the larvae and delay the treatments until midweek or later.

Two treatments, separated by four to 10 days, are required to eradicate the gypsy moth larvae in most infested areas; therefore, the infested area will probably be treated again late in the week of April 30, if weather permits.

On the day of treatment an airplane will begin applying a bacteria commonly found in the soil to the treetops of infested areas. When a gypsy moth caterpillar eats a leaf with the bacterium on it, the bacterium shuts down the digestive system of caterpillars so they can't digest leaves and soon die. The bacterium, called Btk, is short for Bacillus thuringiensis (var. kurstaki). Btk is not harmful to humans or pets.

A very small number of people have experienced minor eye or sinus irritation if they are directly exposed to Btk. People who live or work near the treatment areas can take common sense precautions, including avoiding direct exposure of Btk to themselves or their belongings.

People in treatment areas who are concerned about sensitivity to the treatment may choose to adjust their time spent outdoors to avoid exposure and stay indoors until one-half to one hour after the plane has completed its last flight over the area. Pet food and water or other food or drink should be covered or kept indoors until one-half hour after the spraying.

The airplane is a crop duster that flies about 50 feet above treetops to precisely apply the Btk in the treatment areas. The plane will make turns over adjacent areas but will not release any Btk over those areas.

People with questions about this project may call Indianapolis toll-free, 1-877-INFODNR (463-6367), between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or contact their county extension office.

Maps and aerial photographs of the treatment sites and further information about the gypsy moth may be found on the DNR Entomology Web site at http://www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/index.htm

For a condensed background about the gypsy moth insect, see http://dnr.in.gov/press/gypsy-moth-info.pdf

 

Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources 

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