Gypsy moth to face aerial spraying over two years
Hamilton politicians agreed to spend $2.4 million over the next two years to fight the escalating gypsy moth infestation.
After taking a cautious approach this past summer to the invasive species by monitoring its population progress, officials discovered the species was growing in already infected areas, while dispersing into nonimpacted natural areas. The primary locations that have been infected include West Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas and parts of Flamborough, and places such as in the Dundas Valley and Somerset Park in Ancaster.
Hamilton Conservation Authority officials stated trees in two areas of the Dundas Valley had “noticeable defoliation” this past summer because of the moths.
The European gypsy moth was accidentally introduced to the United States in 1869. The moths were first detected in Ontario in 1969.
City officials stated that a 2016/2017 survey found 2,690 hectares exceeded the threshold of 2,500 egg masses per hectare. Officials said 1,946 treatment zones will be sprayed in 2018.
Councillors agreed at their Nov. 13 public works committee meeting to spend $1.9 million in 2018 and another $550,000 in 2019 to spray the biological control agent bacillus thuringiensis kurstake (Btk). City staff had requested the funding be included in the 2018 operating budget, but Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson recommended the funds be taken from the tax stabilization reserve.
Politicians will vote on the recommendation at their Nov. 22 council meeting.
“If action is not taken now, over the next several years the gypsy moth population is expected to increase and there is a high likelihood that it will cause irreparable damage to the urban forest,” stated staff in a report to councillors.
The city sprayed for gypsy moth infestation in 2008 using Btk, the last time the moth population became a problem. Ancaster residents during the early summer urged Ferguson to convince the city to spray this year. The cost of the aerial spraying of 1,950 hectares nearly 10 years ago was $914,000.
They told the councillor that the moths were “literally hanging in your hair” and people could hear them chomping on the leaves from their porches.
Btk is a soil-borne bacteria that is applied to the leaves of affected trees while caterpillars are in their early instar stages. Once taken, the Btk disrupts the caterpillar’s digestive system, essentially causing them to starve to death within 48 hours.