Gypsy

Here is a message from Lucia Hunt, Gypsy Moth Unit Supervisor, Plant Protection Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, St. Paul, MN:

“The week of July 11 the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) plans to treat the Park Point neighborhood for the invasive insect gypsy moth. The gypsy moth is a voracious pest that has defoliated forests and caused millions of dollars of damage in eastern states. Annual monitoring traps indicate a growing gypsy moth population on Park Point. The MDA is conducting this treatment to ensure the area is protected from this insect. The MDA will be using a federally approved product called SPLAT. This product is made from waxes, vegetable oils, water and other food-grade ingredients. SPLAT contains a pheromone undetectable by humans that interferes with the male moth’s ability to locate a mate. Small dollops of the substance, the size of cotton balls, will be applied hand applied by ground crews to trees, shrubs or posts along Park Point. Since SPLAT will be ground applied by MDA employees and representatives of the agency, it is important the ground crews have access to the area. While state law gives us authority to come onto property for the treatment, the MDA is asking for permission. To ensure access for workers, we ask that residents please leave gates unlocked and open, and keep pets indoors, if possible. For more information, go to MDA’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth. If residents have further questions, they can call the Arrest the Pest Hotline at 888-545-MOTH.”