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VICTORIA –The Ministry of
Forests and Range has been issued a pesticide-use permit to aerial spray 329
hectares of primarily agricultural land on the road to Harrison Lake with a
spray approved for use on organic farms, to eradicate a growing population of
gypsy moths and minimize the risk they pose to the region’s forests, farms and
orchards.
The
ministry is planning up to four aerial applications of Foray 48B between April
25 and June 30, 2009 to control the moth. Foray 48B has been approved for use
on organic farms by the Organic Materials Review Institute and contains
Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk). Btk does not harm humans, mammals,
birds, fish, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bees or other insects and only affects caterpillars after they have
ingested it. Btk is naturally present in urban, forest and agricultural soil
around the province and has been approved for the control of gypsy moth larvae
in Canada since 1961.
Trapping and monitoring results indicate a growing gypsy
moth population south of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. One hundred egg
masses were found in the area, the highest amount ever found in one area in the
province. The proposed treatment area
includes both sides of Hot Springs Road, from just north of McPherson Road to
800 metres north of McCallum Road, and from just west of Hardy Road to the
mountain ridge in the east, with the northernmost tip of the treatment area
about 2.5 kilometres away from Harrison Lake. The permit and map are available
at the District of Kent Municipal Hall and Village of Harrison Hot Springs
Office and at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/gypsymoth
online. Treatment dates are weather-dependent and will be advertised closer to
the first application date. Each
treatment application will be completed before 7:30 a.m.
The
gypsy moth is an introduced pest species, with caterpillars that feed on tree
leaves and that can damage forests, farms and orchards. Large gypsy moth
populations defoliated sections of forests and residential areas in Ontario and
the eastern U.S. in recent years. The moths are unintentionally brought to B.C.
on vehicles, recreational equipment and outdoor household articles like lawn
furniture from affected areas in eastern North America.
Infested
locations are often subject to product and transportation quarantines and area
treatment, including individual vehicle checks, and annual aerial spraying. The ministry successfully treated areas
on Saltspring Island and Saltair on Vancouver Island with ground applications
of Foray 48B in the spring of 2008 and neither of those locations require
treatment in 2009. Residents can contact
the ministry toll-free at 1-866-917-5999 to discuss the program.
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contact: |
Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592 |
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