The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing to treat five sites in Houston, and Fillmore counties to slow the spread of a spongy moth. Officials will conduct the aerial management activities on June 20, beginning as early as 6:30 a.m. continuing throughout the day. The date is dependent on weather conditions in the area.
The five sites total approximately 15,750 acres. There are two sites in Fillmore County and three sites in Houston County. There are maps of the sites available on the MDA website. Residents can also look up their address on an interactive map to determine if they are within any of these blocks.
The MDA will use a method of mating disruption involving the aerial application of an organically certified, waxy, food-grade substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuses the male moths. This makes it difficult for the male spongy moths to find females for mating, reducing mating success. The result is fewer caterpillars hatching and attacking trees next year. Application is timed just as adult moths emerge in early summer.
The mating disruption product will be applied by low-flying yellow planes contracted by the U.S. Forest Service in a joint project with the MDA. The product is not harmful to humans, animals, birds, or other insects, and will help protect forest health, property values, and the state’s tourism industry.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up a Report a Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment dates and times. On the morning of the treatments, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website also has information about spongy moths and control efforts.
Residents can also sign up for updates about treatment progress:
- Text “MNMDA SOUTH” to 66468 to receive text notifications.
- Text “MNMDA SOUTH [your email address here]” to 66468 to receive email notifications.
Or sign up online for text or email notifications.
Spongy moths are among America's most destructive tree pests, having caused millions of dollars in damage to Eastern forests. The moths are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. Oak, poplar, birch, and willow are among their preferred hosts. The moths spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them spread by transporting firewood or other items on which the moths have laid their eggs.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or reportapest@state.mn.us with questions regarding spongy moth and the planned treatment.
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Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
brittany.raveill@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning a second treatment on four areas in Carlton County to manage spongy moth infestations detected in those areas last fall. Officials plan to conduct the second round of aerial management activities on the week of June 17.
The exact date and time of aerial management activities are heavily dependent on weather conditions. For the most up-to-date information on these activities, citizens are encouraged to sign up for text or email notifications.
- Receive text notifications by texting “MNMDA Treatments” to 66468.
- Receive email notifications by texting “MNMDA Treatments [your email address here]” to 66468.
- Or sign up online for text or email notifications.
All management areas in Carlton County are in the eastern portion of the county. Exact locations can be found via maps on the MDA website or an interactive map that is searchable by address. Citizens may notice a low-flying airplane as it navigates the treatment areas. The aerial management activities will start as early as 5 a.m. It may take multiple days to complete the second round of activities. The MDA apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the noise of the plane.
The product being used for these aerial management activities is, Foray/Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), applied over each area. Btk is a biological product that is organic certified for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, livestock, bees, and other insects.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up a Report a Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment dates and times. On the morning of the treatments, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website also has information about spongy moths and control efforts.
The MDA offers the following tips to residents in the management area:
- The management product has no known health effects for humans, but residents may wish to stay indoors during the management activities and keep windows closed for a half hour after application.
- Residents can cover gardens or turn on sprinklers if they wish.
- The residue does not cause damage to outdoor surfaces. However, soapy water will remove any residue on outdoor items.
Spongy moths are among America's most destructive tree pests, having caused millions of dollars in damage to Eastern forests. The moths are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. Oak, poplar, birch, and willow are among their preferred hosts. The moths spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them spread by transporting firewood or other items on which the moths have laid their eggs.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or reportapest@state.mn.us with questions regarding spongy moth and the planned treatment.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
