News Release

Spongy Moth Aerial Treatment Planned July 13-15

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Spongy Moth Treatment Area, Hayward, WI

NPS

News Release Date: July 7, 2022
Contact: Caitlin Nagorka, 715-501-0011

ST. CROIX FALLS, Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) plans to treat an area near Hayward, Wisconsin that overlaps National Park Service owned lands for spongy moth, formerly known as gypsy moth, between July 13-15. Treatment will only last one day but will be rescheduled if conditions are not favorable on the planned treatment day. Three National Park Service campsites along the Namekagon River are located within the planned treatment area. Notifications will be posted at these campsites. Visitors in this area can expect to see and hear loud, low-flying planes as early as sunrise.

During treatment, planes will spray an organic, biodegradable mating disruptor containing spongy moth pheromone, which inhibits the adult male spongy moth’s ability to locate females. The mating disruptor is not harmful to humans, animals, birds, or other insects. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no health risk to humans, and no adverse effects have been reported in the two decades that this pheromone has been used for spongy moth control.

“These treatments are highly effective at reducing the mating success of this insect. The chemical signal released is specific to spongy moth and will not interfere with the life cycle of other insects,” said Christopher Foelker, DATCP Spongy Moth Program Manager.

DATCP plans to treat 32 sites across 15 western Wisconsin counties for spongy moth. The following counties are scheduled to receive treatment: Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Grant, Eau Claire, Lafayette, Pepin, Rust, Sawyer, Trempealeau, Vernon, and Washburn. Maps of specific treatment areas are available online at https://smaerialspray.wi.gov.

Spongy moths are non-native pests that defoliate many tree species during their caterpillar stage, causing tree stress and potentially tree death. The harmful effects of spongy moths include the cost  of removing dead trees and potential loss of property value. Caterpillars also shed their skin several times as they feed, and these bristly skins can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system in humans.

For additional information, go to smaerialspray.wi.gov. Comments or questions can be sent to the email [e-mail] or toll-free hotline: [phone] (MOTH). Updates regarding the spongy moth treatment will be posted to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway website and Facebook page.

Tags: wisconsin, st. croix national scenic riverway, spongy moth

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