Gypsy moth control necessary at one Regional site

Halton Region is taking action to control a Gypsy Moth infestation on one Halton Region property in the vicinity of Regional Road 25 and Highway 407 in Oakville . If left untreated, this infestation will lead to serious tree defoliation, particularly among oaks. The caterpillar or larva stage of the Gypsy Moth eats the leaves of trees causing the trees to be more vulnerable to disease and attack from other insects.

The Gypsy Moth Project will involve aerial spraying of the biological control treatment Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) by low flying aircraft between 5 and 8 a.m. on two separate dates one week apart in late May, subject to weather conditions. The property is approximately 19 hectares in size and is located in north Oakville in a rural area of Halton. A map of the area is attached (Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)92KB).

Btk is a bacterium that occurs naturally on dead or decaying matter in the soil. It is a biological agent approved by Health Canada and has been safely used as a biological pest control agent for more than 30 years. For more information on Btk, visit www.halton.ca/forests for a fact sheet prepared by Halton Region’s Health Department.

A Public Information Meeting is being held on Wednesday April 23, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Glenorchy/Dakota Room at the Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville get directions. There is no pre-registration necessary for this meeting. Halton Region will be providing additional notification and posting signs during May and a public notification of the confirmed spray dates will be on www.halton.ca/forests.

Aerial spraying of Btk is most effective way to handle the current infestation and minimize potential outbreaks in forest conditions. Several other local municipalities, including the City of Burlington and Town of Oakville, and agencies are proceeding with a similar aerial spray program for the control of Gypsy Moth. This spraying is a collaborative project between Conservation Halton and Halton Region. During late May, the Gypsy Moth caterpillars will have just hatched and will start to feed on tree leaves. The Btk treatment only affects caterpillars at this stage, killing most Gypsy Moth caterpillars. The European Gypsy Moth is a non-native defoliating insect that was introduced to North America in 1869 and is found mainly in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces in Canada.

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