MN Dept. of Agriculture spraying next month in spongy moth fight

The first three days of July, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture plans to use an aircraft to spray seven sites to slow the spread of the spongy moth.

The tree pest, which the MDA said has caused millions of dollars in damage to eastern forests, currently threatens Minnesota.

Spongy moth caterpillars defoliate trees with oak, poplar, birch, and willow among their favorites. While they spread on their own, they often move into an area when people transport firewood that the moths have laid their eggs.

The MDA is spraying nearly 29,000 acres in Fillmore, Houston, and Winona counties from July 1-3.

Among the areas are sites in Whitewater and Beaver Creek Valley state parks. Others include areas west of Caledonia, around Whalan, and around Money Creek.

Click here for an interactive map from the MDA showing the areas that they’re spraying.

They’ll use an airplane to spray what’s known as a mating disruption product. In a statement, it said that the product is, “a non-toxic waxy, food-grade substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuse the male moths.” The MDA said the product makes it difficult for males to find females for mating which reduces their numbers.

The product isn’t harmful to people, animals, birds, or other insects.

People may see the low-flying yellow aircraft over those counties as early as 6:30 a.m. and continuing all day.

As with any kind of spraying activities, it is weather dependent.

Learn more here about Spongy Moth management.