MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) --- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will begin gypsy moth treatment plans in May to prevent mating.

According to DATCP, they spray to kill the gypsy moth caterpillars in May and early June. In late June and July, the USDA Forest Service applies mating disruptors by spray plane to prevent the adult moths from mating. 

Beginning in May and continuing through July, low-flying planes will spray selected areas in Western Wisconsin to treat outlier populations of gypsy moth. Officials say a total of about 94,579 acres at 45 sites in 14 counties are scheduled for treatment.

These counties include Barron, Chippewa, Crawford, Douglas, Dunn, Grant, Green, Iowa, La Crosse, Lafayette, Rusk, Trempealeau, Vernon, and Washburn. 

DATCP says the gypsy moth is a non-native insect with a destructive appetite for hundreds of species of trees and shrubs. The treatment efforts are to limit the spread of the pest that is established i the eastern two-thirds of the state.

“This invasive pest is a serious threat to our forests and urban trees. It has the potential to negatively impact Wisconsin’s timber, paper, nursery, and tourism industries,” said Christopher Foelker, coordinator of DATCP’s Gypsy Moth Program.

You can also watch a video presentation to learn more about the gypsy moth treatment plans for 2021. 

For additional information, click here.