The Medford Township decision makers, who are also residents, try to avoid the use of pesticide, but will also make weighted decisions and take action when necessary to avoid larger ecological damages.
Such is the case with the 2008 Gypsy Moth program that is begin carried out under state (and U.S. Forestry Service) guidelines and control.
Gypsy moth egg mass surveys, conducted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJ DOA), indicate that gypsy moth populations will be very high during May and June 2008. Leaf feeding by the caterpillars of this pest will cause severe defoliation of many of our trees. Consequently, the municipality has entered into a cooperative control program With the NJ DOA and the U.S. Forest Service. This program is being operated on an integrated approach, utilizing a pesticide with a naturally occurring active ingredient to reduce defoliating populations of this forest pest. The aerial spraying will be employed around residential and recreational areas to reduce thee loss, while natural control agents will be encouraged to reduce pest levels in remote, uninhabited areas.
In our area, only the biological Insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (FORAY 768, EPA Reg.#73049-49) will be applied once by aircraft at a dosage rate of 38 B.I.U.s (64 oz.) per acre by Downstown Aero Crop Service (DEP Lic. # 90029), 339 Harding Highway, Vineland New Jersey. The spray operation is expected to begin on or after May 1, 2008 through June 1, 2008 or until completion. The exact date of application will depend on climatic conditions and the development of the caterpillars and trees in you area.
A municipal contact person may be reached at 609-268-2570 to answer any questions you may have about the exact timing and dates of treatment.
To insure precise placement of the spray material, aircraft will conduct treatments only when there is little or no wind. Daily spray operations normally are conducted early in the morning between 5:30 a.m. and 2:00p.m. and possibly between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the evening. However, no pesticide application for gypsy moth control will take place between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. during operations Monday through Friday only.
Although S.t.k. has very minimal risk to humans or wildlife, individuals wishing no exposure to either themselves or their children, before or after this one hour no spray shutdown time should remain indoors during the treatment. if you must go outside, wear rain gear or use an umbrella to prevent contact with the spray material, especially If you bear the aircraft working in your area.
Trained personnel from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and our municipality will assist 10 the program. Pilots will be carefully briefed to insure that the spray material is being applied m the proper areas as directed.
The program is being conducted to protect and preserve the municipalities and your valuable shade tree resources. Your understanding and cooperation will be very much appreciated.
Individuals wishing additional information about pesticides may contact the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378. For emergencies call the New Jersey Poison Control Information and Education System at 1-800-222-1222. For pesticide regulation information, pesticide complaints, and health referrals call the New Jersey Pesticide Control Program at 1-609-984-6507.
Upon request, the pesticide applicator or applicator business shall provide a resident with notification 12 hours prior to the application, except for Quarantine and Disease Vector Control only, when conditions necessitate pesticide applications sooner than that time.
Source: NJ DOA
Click here for more information about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's 2008 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program, spraying schedules for other spray zones, and change updates.
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.
