The 2022 aerial spray program was successful in lowering spongy moth (also known as Lymantria dispar dispar or LDD moth) populations. This year, an aerial spray is not required. We’ve predicted that spongy moth populations will be low and there will be minimal leaf defoliation on the City’s trees.
Control spongy moth on your trees
Spongy moth is a non-native invasive insect that eat the leaves on trees while they are in their caterpillar stage. Controlling spongy moth populations is essential in making sure our trees continue to stay healthy for everyone to enjoy. They strip the leaves off trees until mid summer when they enter their pupal stage. Moths are present beginning in late July or August. They prefer oak trees but will eat the leaves of any hardwood tree such as oak, ash, birch or elm.
The City monitors and controls spongy moth populations. Each year, priority areas are identified where there are high numbers of the insect.
You can also use some of these pest control techniques, to help protect trees on your property:
* Remove caterpillars from tree trunks and soak in soapy water (most effective May-July)
* Install burlap wrap to catch caterpillars before you remove and kill them (most effective May-September)
* Search for egg masses to remove and destroy (most effective August-May)
