The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning a second treatment to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation in part of Minneapolis’s Loring Park Neighborhood. Officials plan to conduct a ground treatment beginning Tuesday, May 25, as early as 5 a.m. and continuing through mid-morning. It may take crews three mornings to complete the work. This schedule is dependent on weather conditions at the time.
The treatment product, Foray/Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), is a biological product that is organic certified for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, bees, and other non-caterpillar insects.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up an Arrest the 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 (www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments) also has information about gypsy moths and control efforts. Residents can sign up for updates about treatment progress by texting “MDA MINNEAPOLIS” to 468311 to receive text notifications or texting “MDA MINNEAPOLIS [your email address here]” to 468311 to receive email notifications.
The MDA offers the following tips to residents in the treatment area:
- For the gypsy moth treatment to work, it must begin early in the morning. Treatments may begin as early as 5 a.m. Residents will see tree maintenance crews, and on-street parking may be restricted as crews move around the area.
- The treatment product has no known health effects for humans, but residents may wish to stay indoors during the treatment and keep windows closed for a half hour after application.
- The residue does not cause damage to outdoor surfaces. However, soapy water will remove any residue on windows or other items.
Treatment area: The treatment area is along 14th and 15th streets from Loring Park to Nicollet Ave (SEE MAP).
Gypsy 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, gypsy 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 Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us with questions regarding gypsy moth and the planned treatments.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning a second treatment to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation in New Hartford Township, Winona County. Officials plan to conduct the aerial treatment on Wednesday, May 26, as early as 5:15 a.m. This schedule is dependent on weather conditions at the time.
The MDA uses a low-flying airplane which will be traveling up to a half mile outside the approximately 1,140-acre treatment area as it navigates through the gypsy moth infestation site. The MDA apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the noise of the plane.
The treatment product, Foray/Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), is a biological product that is certified organic for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, livestock, bees, and other non-caterpillar insects. However, residents can avoid it by staying indoors during the treatment and keeping windows closed until a half hour after application. Residents can cover gardens or turn on sprinklers during the treatment if they wish. Any residue, which does not cause damage to outdoor items, can be removed with soapy water.
The MDA has set up an Arrest the Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment date and time. On the morning of the treatment, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website (www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments) also has information about gypsy moths and control efforts. Residents can sign up for updates about treatment progress by texting “MDA WINONA” to 468311 to receive text notifications or texting “MDA WINONA [your email address here]” to 468311 to receive email notifications.
Treatment area: The treatment area is approximately 1,140 acres in New Hartford Township, Winona County. County Highway 16 and Pea Ridge Road runs through the treatment area (Also referred to as the Pea Ridge Block – SEE MAP).
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us with questions regarding gypsy moth and the planned treatment.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has positively identified the invasive weed Palmer amaranth in Polk County. The confirmation came after the MDA inspected a field being used for the disposal of agricultural screenings.
The MDA collected a sample of the screenings material and determined by genetic testing that it was contaminated with Palmer amaranth seed. The field was scouted, and MDA staff found several dead Palmer amaranth plants on the field’s edge remaining from last year, suggesting the plants had grown and matured.
The landowner is working with the department to eradicate any of the weeds moving forward. At this time, the MDA believes the issue is isolated to only one field. The field and the surrounding area will be a priority for MDA field scouting this summer.
Since it was first discovered in the state in 2016, Palmer amaranth has been found in ten Minnesota counties, including Polk County. However, most of the sites have been successfully eradicated and the remaining are being closely monitored. Details of previous finds can be found on the MDA website.
Palmer amaranth is listed as a noxious weed in Minnesota. All above and below ground parts of the plant must be destroyed, and it cannot be moved. The weed is also listed as a prohibited weed seed in the state. This means no Palmer amaranth is allowed in any seed offered for sale in Minnesota.
Left uncontrolled, a single female Palmer amaranth plant typically produces 100,000 to 500,000 seeds. It is resistant to multiple herbicides, can cause substantial yield losses, and greatly increase weed management costs in soybeans and corn.
Find photos and more information on Palmer amaranth at www.mda.state.mn.us/palmeramaranth.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
Customers who have stepped-up to “buy local” over the last year can include plants grown right here in Minnesota.
Now is the best time to shop local nurseries and garden centers, and consumers have a convenient way to connect with over 100 of them around the state, through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown Directory.
Jay Holasek, grower and vice president of Holasek Flower Power Garden Center, notes the benefits of working with local growers.
“Here at Holasek Flower Power garden center, we grow almost all our plants right here in Lester Prairie Minnesota. By growing our plants on-site, we control the quality from start to finish. We have great confidence in the quality of the plants we sell to our customers. This is something that you will not find at the big box chains who are not directly involved in the growing process of the plants they buy in and then re-sell.”
Minnesota nurseries and garden centers experienced an increase in business during the spring of 2020, and they hope to continue the momentum into the 2021 season. Along with enjoying quality garden products, shopping a local nursery is an excellent way to support and get to know the grower behind your favorite plants.
Holasek also remarked on the economic benefit of supporting local growers.
“By shopping local, you not only support small business, but you can feel good knowing that the plants you are buying were grown and cared for by growers right here in Minnesota,” he said. “This helps to continue building a great industry in our beautiful state.”
Consumers can quickly find their local nursery by visiting www.minnesotagrown.com.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Acidified Foods Training for Licensed Food Processors
2017 Buford Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
44.9849332, -93.1852079
Canning salsa, pickles, and other acidified foods for sale in Minnesota requires specific certification. This 2-day workshop is intended to provide this needed certification to supervisors of thermally processed acidified food facilities. As required by FDA regulations 21 CFR 114, each processor of acidified foods must operate with a Certified Supervisor on hand at all times during processing.
Form for testing webform options