Pelham to spray for gypsy moths in Hillcrest Park area
Pelham residents shouldn’t be alarmed when they see a helicopter over the town in the Hillcrest Park area in the next couple of weeks.
Depending on weather, after May 15 the helicopter, from Zimmer Air, will be spraying a pesticide as part of the town’s gypsy moth spray program, the town said in a release. A second application will take place within a week of the first.
Trail entrances in the area will be closed during the spraying time frame. Road closures in the area can also be expected.
The spray program was started in response to resident concern over gypsy moths a year prior.
Gypsy moths are an insect native to Europe and Asia that severely weaken trees across North America as they feed on leaves in early May.
The town said Zimmer Air is an agricultural aerial application service provider and will use a pesticide called Foray 48B, a naturally-occurring bacillus thuringiensis, or soil-borne bacteria, that is toxic to the gypsy moth.
“Co-ordinates are uploaded to the helicopter’s GPS system to ensure minimal overspray outside the designated area. Prior to spraying, Zimmer Air will notify residents in the area with an informational flyer,” the town said.
People with questions or concerns can contact the company through its toll-free number at 1-800-665-5485.
Zimmer Air is willing to spray private properties, provided they are attached to the original area. The cost of private spraying is $865 per hectare, which works out to be $0.09 per square metre, the town said.