The Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is a program that is offered by the state of Pennsylvania. It is a forest residential program designed to protect residential areas from serious damage by limiting tree mortality caused by the gypsy moth caterpillar. The goal is to achieve less than 30 percent defoliation on 80 percent or more of the highly favored host trees: alder, apple, aspen, basswood, beech, birches (gray, white and river), box elder, hawthorn, larch, oaks (all species), willows and witch hazel. What this means is that even under optimal conditions, you may still experience 20 percent of your trees with greater than 30 percent defoliation, especially where the populations are high.
Because of the limits inherent in the insecticides available and the degree of forest insect pest infestations in Pennsylvania, it is not economically feasible, nor is this program designed to eradicate any forest insect pest from any part of the Commonwealth. In addition, because of variation in insect tolerance levels of individual people, the nuisance problem caused by larval insect populations may not be reduced sufficiently to placate all landowners serviced even though the foliage protection objective is met.
Gypsy Moth Photos (PDF 333KB)
TREATMENT:
DCNR’s policy is to utilize only the biological agent Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (an organic pesticide) in residential areas. It is applied by aerial application by either helicopter or fixed wing aircraft at a rate of less than one gallon per acre. Spraying is conducted anytime from late April until early June, dependent on weather and other factors.
Click here for information on Bt (PDF 22.1 KB)
PRIVATE APPLICATOR:
If the state suppression program does not suit your needs, consider the option of hiring a private applicator. Enclosed is a list of private applicators, supplied by DCNR, who are willing to spray in Perry County.
Click here for a list of private applicators (pdf 22 KB)
If you need help with maps, the Perry County Conservation District will be glad to assist you.
For additional information visit the following websites: