News

Gypsy Mothclaims a little more land in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is expanding the gypsy moth quarantine area in thestate. Monroe and Iron Counties, the Madeline Island area of Ashland County and the island units of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore officially joined most of eastern Wisconsin considered to be generally infested with the gypsy moth. The four new regions have been placed under federal and stategypsy moth quarantine.

The quarantine requires that Christmas trees, logs and nursery stock be inspected and certified as gypsy moth-free before those products can move into non-quarantine counties or non-quarantine states. People who live in quarantine areas are asked toinspect anything stored outside before they move it to another area. Female gypsy moths can lay eggs on nearly anything kept outside so there is a risk of moving gypsy moths when moving things like patio furniture, campers, boat trailers or firewood.

Bob Dahl with theWisconsin Department of Agriculture says “If you are going camping or to your cabin, check your gear before leaving to be sure you aren’t carrying any gypsy moths with you. This is very important if you’re headed to areas in western Wisconsin, Minnesota or Iowa where gypsy moths aren’t asprevalent.”

Since it was first discovered in Wisconsin in the late 1960s, the gypsy moth continues to creep westward. The leading edge of the gypsy moth infestation is in the middle of the state. Monroe and Iron Counties represent the western-most points for theinfestation.

Aerial spraying for 2009 is planned to begin in May when gypsy moth caterpillars begin to hatch. Maps of the spray sites are available on the web site linked below. For more information on the gypsy moth, call 1-800-642-6684 or visit the Web site.