Bradford Woods Warns of Increased Gypsy Moths This Spring

If you have a lot of trees on your property, and live in Bradford Wood, be on the lookout for Gypsy moths.

According to the Bradford Woods website, Gypsy moth larva (caterpillars) will eat and defoliate most of the trees and shrubs found here in Allegheny County, but they much prefer oak trees. 

"Gypsy moth populations within large portions of the Borough of Bradford Woods have dramatically increased," the web site states. "The average egg mass density per acre has increased from just 3.2 egg masses/acre that hatched in spring 2012 to 75.7 egg masses/acre that will hatch in the spring of 2013.  The increase in gypsy moth egg masses appears to signal a building population and a new infestation within the region."

The borough said this current population is not likely to cause widespread heavy defoliation and/or tree mortality, so an aerial spray program is not recommended and will not be conducted in this spring. However, the borough makes the following recommendations:

It is probable that if no biological treatments are conducted to control the gypsy moth populations, residents may notice moderate defoliation, and nuisance associated with thousands of caterpillars and their excrement.   Residents noticing defoliation or nuisance induced by gypsy moth larva in the late spring/early summer of 2013 should consider contracting with a private tree company that specializes in ground based spraying.  

One application of Bacillus thuringiensis @ 32 BIUs/acre should be applied.   This should/will protect your oak trees and reduce the nuisance associated with gypsy moth caterpillars on your property.

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