Gypsy Moth Mating Disruption Treatments Scheduled to Begin Next Week

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This is a press release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, distributed on June 5, 2019.

 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Micaela Wright, (614) 752-9817, micaela.wright@agri.ohio.gov

 

GYPSY MOTH MATING DISRUPTION TREATMENTS TO BEGIN IN OHIO

Twelve counties to receive treatment across the state

 

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (June 5, 2019) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture will begin aerial treatments designed to disrupt gypsy moth mating on 61,070 acres in twelve counties across the state.

 

To help protect Ohio’s diverse habitat, the Ohio Department of Agriculture operates multiple programs aimed at managing the gypsy moth in Ohio. One such program, the Slow-the-Spread program, focuses on monitoring, detecting, and reducing isolated populations to slow the gypsy moth’s movement across the state through treatments.

                     

Airplanes will fly approximately 100 feet above the tree tops and buildings to apply the treatment throughout the day. Treatments are scheduled to be conducted in portions of Allen, Franklin, Guernsey, Hancock, Hocking, Jackson, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, and Wyandot counties. Weather permitting, treatments will begin in southeast Ohio on June 12, with subsequent treatments in central and northwest Ohio to follow.

airplane

In all counties receiving treatment, the department will use a single application of the product SPLAT GM-O. This product does not kill the moth, but it disrupts the mating process by confusing the male as it searches for a female mate. SPLAT GM-O is an organic product and is not harmful to birds, plants, pets or humans.

 

Pre-recorded daily updates about planned treatment blocks are available to citizens by calling 614-387-0907 or 614-728-6400. 

 

The gypsy moth is a non-native, invasive species that feeds on the leaves of more than 300 different trees and shrubs and is especially fond of oak. A healthy tree can usually withstand only two years of defoliation before it is permanently damaged or dies. To date, 51 of Ohio’s 88 counties have established gypsy moth populations.

 

For more information on the gypsy moth, including maps of treatment areas and videos of the mating disruption process, please visit our gypsy moth webpage

 

Ohio Department of Agriculture, Office of Communication

(614) 752-9817     communications@agri.ohio.gov