First
some information about Gypsy Moths from Eau Claire, Wis. –
A naturalist trying to breed more hardy silkworms accidentally
introduced the gypsy moth into Massachusetts in 1869. Since then, this pest has been munching it’s way west
across North America and into Wisconsin.
The moth moves through natural spread and also hitches rides on
objects such as firewood, timber, camping equipment, vehicles, and
lawn furniture.
Gypsy moths are native to Europe, Asia and North
Africa and their favorite food is oak leaves. They also feed on over
500 tree and shrub species, including aspen, birch, crabapple,
tamarack and willow. When
the caterpillar populations are high, they can completely defoliate a
woodlot or neighborhood, stressing and killing trees and making
outdoor recreation nearly impossible.
The DNR trap catches from summer 2005 show a number of hot
spots throughout Adams Co., with the highest trap catches (over 700
males/ trap) caught in the northeast part of the county, and this
corresponds to the number of complaints received too (lots from the
Lake Camelot area)
In late summer each female moth lays a
tan-colored egg mass about the size of a quarter.
These egg masses feel and look like felt and contain up to
1,000 shiny metallic-looking eggs.
The eggs overwinter sheltered in these egg masses, and between
late April and mid-May each year a new generation of gypsy moth
caterpillars hatches.
"Egg masses can be found in any protected
area, including the undersides of tree branches, in bark crevices, on
road signs, in bird houses; even in sheltered areas of buildings and
vehicles," says Brian Radtke, the DNR's Gypsy Moth Coordinator in
Eau Claire.
Before the eggs hatch in late April through mid-May, they can
be killed by spraying them with an egg mass oil available at many
garden stores, nurseries, and hardware stores.
Egg masses can also be scraped into a can and drowned in soapy
water, thrown into the garbage, microwaved or flushed down the toilet.
Eggs should not be left on the ground, as they will
still hatch. "Treating egg masses is one of the best ways to help
reduce the gypsy moth population, since you will have 500 to 1,000
fewer caterpillars for every egg mass you oil or remove," said
Radtke.
Before
the first caterpillars hatch, homeowners can help to protect their
trees by creating a sticky barrier that prevents migrating
caterpillars from crawling up a tree.
To do this, wrap duct tape around a tree several times with the
sticky side down. Press
the tape into bark crevices and then smear a sticky substance such as
"Tanglefoot" on top of the tape.
Within a few weeks of hatching gypsy moth caterpillars will be
about 1" long. At
this point, they will begin a daily migration down the tree in order
to hide from predators. Homeowners
can take advantage of this behavior by giving them a band of burlap to
hide under and then destroying them.
In early June, cut a piece of burlap 18" to 24" wide
and long enough to wrap completely around the tree at chest height.
Tie a piece of string around the middle of the burlap and fold
the upper portion down to form a "skirt" around the tree.
Every afternoon, check under the burlap and either cut the
caterpillars in half or brush them into a bucket of soapy water to
kill them. Wear gloves
when handling the caterpillars to avoid skin irritation. “Make sure
you check your burlap bands and remove the caterpillars every day, “
warns Radtke, “or you’re just providing a safe hiding place from
predators for the caterpillars”.
When very large numbers of caterpillars are present, homeowners
may choose to spray their trees with an insecticide before the
caterpillars can eat the leaves.
Bt, a microbial insecticide, must be applied while the
caterpillars are less than 1/2" long. Chemical pesticides may be applied at any time caterpillars
are present. Be sure to
follow the instructions found on the insecticide container. Most pesticides should be applied at regular intervals while
the caterpillars are present. "If
you spray, do it while the caterpillars are small so they don't get
big enough to defoliate the tree or become a major nuisance,"
says Radtke. A healthy,
well-watered tree will usually survive at least two years of
defoliation. When
landowners encounter the pupae or white female moths that can't fly,
they can be crushed with a stick.
Information on gypsy moth management and maps of proposed
aerial spray areas are available by visiting www.gypsymoth.wi.gov.
Homeowners seeking assistance can also call the gypsy moth
hotline, 1-800-642-MOTH.
What you can do:
The
Town of Rome is fortunate enough to have a local coordinator to record
gypsy moth infestation. Pat Pisellini, a Lake Sherwood Resident, is
working with the DNR to get an overview of the infestation, and to
coordinate a possible spraying in our area. The spray will be done by
airplane, and Gypchek would be sprayed. Gypchek is a virus that
affects the intestine of the gypsy moth. It ONLY affects the gypsy
moth caterpillars. The cost to the homeowner would be the shared cost
of $30/acre.
If you think you have egg masses, please call one of the people
below to report the lot number, the location of the egg masses, your
phone number, and to give permission for someone to check the masses
on your property. Please call before Nov. 15th if possible.
We need help from ALL of you to try to wipe out the gypsy moths in
Rome before they wipe out our remaining trees.
Contact: Pat
Pisellini at 715-459-7878 or Barb Herreid at 325-2075 or Jeanne Osgood
at 325-6244. Thank you!!
