The first ground spraying treatment to eradicate invasive gypsy moths from 45 hectares of residential land in Campbell River will begin Tuesday, May 15, 2018, weather permitting.

Three separate sets of treatments are required this spring. Spraying will be carried out by crews using ground spray equipment. It will start around 8 a.m. and will be completed by 6 p.m., daily.

Unless delayed by poor weather, each treatment is expected to take one day to apply. The ministry is aiming to have the spraying completed by mid-June.

The 45-hectare spray area will be treated with Foray 48B, which contains Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk), an ingredient that has been approved for the control of gypsy moth larvae in Canada since 1961. Foray 48B and other Btk formulations received certification for acceptable use on certified organic farms by the Organic Materials Review Institute of Canada in April 2018.

Btk is naturally present in urban, forest and agricultural soil throughout the province. It does not harm humans, mammals, birds, fish, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bees or other insects, and affects caterpillars only after they have ingested it.

Poor weather or wind may cause treatments to be postponed with little advance notice. The Province will issue bulletins 24 hours before each treatment, and provide up-to-date information at 1 866 917-5999 and online at: www.gov.bc.ca/gypsymoth  

The telephone line will be staffed during business hours, and will provide up-to-date spray schedules and recorded information, 24 hours a day. Social media will be used to update the public on current spray operations. Follow #Gypsymoth on Twitter for these updates.

Anyone wishing to minimize contact with the spray material may choose to remain indoors with their windows and doors closed during the spraying, and for at least 30 minutes after.

Pets and livestock that may be frightened by the aircraft should be brought indoors. Items not to be sprayed can be covered or moved indoors.

Learn More:

Learn more about gypsy moths: www.gov.bc.ca/gypsymoth

Or, call toll-free: 1 866 917-5999

Multilingual health information is available by calling the BC Nurseline at: 811

Chief medical health officer Dr. Richard Stanwick discusses gypsy moth spray treatment programs: https://youtu.be/FzTSmsxkJtc