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Q. What does a
gypsy moth look like? |
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When caterpillars hatch, they are
about 1/8th inch long and black. As they grow, they become very
"hairy," and develop conspicuous blue and red dots on their
backs. Full, grown caterpillars are 1 1/2 to 2 inches
long. The caterpillars then become pupae (cocoons), which are
1/2 to 1 inch long, brown in color and teardrop shaped.
When the moths emerge from the cocoons, the males are brown and
fly in zigzag pattern, while the females are white with dark
markings and cannot fly. After mating, the females lay egg
masses, which are tan to brown in color, oval and about the size
of a quarter, and are covered with hairs from the female's body. |
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Q. What do the
caterpillars like to eat? |
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Gypsy moth caterpillars feed on
the leaves of many hardwood trees, especially Oak hickory,
willow, birch, apple, alder, witch hazel. etc. In some
stages they feed on conifers as well, including spruce, hemlock,
pine and larch. If gypsy moth populations reach high
levels in areas where there are large numbers of favored host
trees, they can cause extensive tree damage. |
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Q. When will
the spray applications take place? |
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Spray applications begin in mid
May. The timing is dependent on several factors, including
growth of tree foliage, caterpillar development, spray block
location, and the weather. No definite date or time for
spraying any particular block can be determined in advance.
Residents can call the Gypsy Moth Hotline for current
information on the progress of the spray project. |
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Q. At what time
of day will spray applications take place? |
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Ideally, spray applications take
place during early morning hours, usually beginning about 6:00
a.m.. However, spray may be applied in the early evening,
before dark, if weather conditions are more appropriate. |
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Q. Do the spray
planes fly low? |
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Yes. The planes are crop dusters
that fly at treetop level. This is necessary because the
insecticide is designed to be applied to the tree leaves as a
very fine mist. |
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Q. If a plane
flies over my house, does that mean it is spraying? |
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No. The pilot(s) often fly over
the area to observe the spray block before any spray is applied.
Then the pilot begins making straight runs, but must turn around
to spray in the other direction. The spray is turned off when
the pilot is negotiating turns. |
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Q. What
insecticides are used? |
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ODA uses two insecticides in their
suppression program. One, Btk, is a microbial pesticide made up
of bacteria and spores that are toxic to gypsy moth
caterpillars. When the caterpillars eat leaves sprayed with the
Btk they get sick, stop feeding and eventually die. The other,
Dimilin, is a synthetic insect growth regulator. When the
caterpillars feed on leaves treated with Dimilin, the
insecticide prevents them form molting successfully to the next
stage of their life cycle. Therefore, the caterpillars cannot
become moths and lay eggs to increase the population for the
following year. |
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Q. What if I am
outside when the planes are spraying? |
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Many people choose to stay indoors
when the planes are spraying, but it is not required that you do
so. Even if you are outside when the planes fly over, the
insecticides used by ODA are not harmful to people or pets.
There may be a slight odor in the air, especially when Btk is
the insecticide applied. Often people with allergies or
respiratory conditions consult their physicians and are
instructed to stay indoors to minimize their exposure, but there
have been no documented cases of health problems caused by gypsy
moth suppression sprays. |
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Q. Will the
spray harm my pets? |
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No. Both Dimilin and Btk have very
low toxicity levels and do not have any growth or reproductive
effects on test animals. You may choose to bring your pets
inside, but there is no requirement to do so. Horses, however,
may be frightened by the low flying planes. It is advisable to
keep them stabled when stay applications are expected. |
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Q. Will either
insecticide harm honeybees? |
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No. Neither Dimilin, or Btk has
any affect on honeybees or other beneficial insects. |
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Q. Do I have
to cover my vegetable garden? |
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No. Neither of the insecticides
used in the ODA Suppression Program is toxic when sprayed on
home gardens. You may harvest and eat the vegetables after
washing them. |
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Q. I have a
well (or pond) that I use for drinking water. Will the spray
applications affect my water supply? |
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Both Dimilin and Btk break down
rapidly in the soil, and will not affect the ground water
supply. Open water will not be sprayed. |
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Q. What if
someone says they don't want to be sprayed and ...? |
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Since this is a voluntary
suppression program , no one is forced to participate. If
someone opt outs (not to participate), a 200 foot buffer is
maintained around their property. If they are on the edge of a
site, that area will be moved out of the treatment block. If
they are in the middle of the block, an exclusion can be put
around them. If there are many opt outs, the whole block risks
being dropped out of the project. It is the block coordinator's
job to let us know where the opt outs are located. If someone
lives next to an opt outs, their property will fall within the
200 foot buffer and will not be sprayed. They will have to
contract with the local tree care company if they want anything
done. |
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Q. Is there
any cost to me for the treatment? |
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Yes. The Suppression Program has
Cost Share provision with the landowner. The landowner is
obligated to pay 50% of the cost of treatment, while state and
federal agencies pick up the balance. |
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