The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat approximately 23,600 hectares of forest in the Kamloops Timber Supply Area to reduce western spruce budworm populations.

The biological agent Foray 48B will be applied by helicopter on or about June 18 to July 5, 2014, weather permitting, on about 16 sites near Menanteau Lake, Logan Lake, Tunkwa Lake, Pinantan Lake, Paul Lake, Heffley Lake, Sullivan Lake and Isobel Lake.

The western spruce budworm is an insect native to B.C. and the Pacific Northwest. In its larval stage, it defoliates Douglas-fir, true firs, spruce and larch trees. A budworm outbreak has the potential to seriously harm or kill trees over large areas.

The pest management plan and maps of the treatment areas can be viewed at the Thompson Okanagan Region Forest Health Program office at 441 Columbia Street, Kamloops or online at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rsi/ForestHealth/Western_Spruce_Budworm_Spray_2014.htm

Foray 48B is a biological insecticide that is widely used in B.C. and is registered with the Organic Materials Review Institute. The active ingredient in Foray 48B is the naturally occurring bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk).

This spray affects only moth and butterfly larvae and can be used safely around humans and other animals. Birds, household pets, fish and beneficial insects (including honey bees) are not affected.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261