St. Clair County is looking to combat an infestation of Gypsy Moths throughout the region. Commissioners last week approved an agreement with Michigan State University Extension and the Friends of the St. Clair River to conduct surveys of the damage caused by the caterpillar. County Administration Keri Hepting tells WPHM the first steps will be self reporting the Gypsy Moths by going online.
“Once we know what type of activity is predicted for next year then recommendations for potential treatment plans will be developed,” said Hepitng. “Whether it’s education to homeowners on how to manage it if the population is small to the potential for aerial spraying.”
Issues with gypsy moths can be reported by visiting the county’s website or if you do not have access to the internet, Hepting says you can call Friends of the St. Clair River at 810-294-4965. She urges homeowners not to remove egg masses from trees until their property is surveyed in order for officials to get a more accurate prediction of the amount of caterpillars that could hatch next spring.
Pictured: Gypsy moth caterpillar infected with Entomophaga. Photo by Dave Smitley, MSU.
http://stclaircounty.org/Caterpillars/CaterpillarsSurvey.aspx
