Summary

• Spongy moths are an invasive species that is destructive to forests and farms
• The Province will spray 36 hectares around Beach Grove in Delta and 121 hectares in Squamish west and south of the intersection of Buckley Avenue and Third Avenue  
• Treatment has no known toxic effects for people, pets, birds and other animals and will occur between April 1 and June 15, 2026

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This spring, the Province will conduct aerial-spray treatments in Delta and Squamish to eradicate spongy moths and minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms and trees.

The following areas will be treated in accordance with B.C.’s Integrated Pest Management Act:

• Delta: 36 hectares – in Beach Grove by Boundary Bay, roughly around 16 and 17A avenues and Beach Grove Road
• Squamish: 121 hectares – west of the intersection of Buckley Avenue and Third Avenue, to the edge of the Squamish River, and down to just south of Vancouver Street.

Spongy moths posing a serious threat to forests and farms

B.C.'s ecosystems and economy are at risk from invasive spongy moths. Also known as Lymantria dispar, formerly known as gypsy moths, spongy moths are a serious pest in their caterpillar form. Caterpillars feed on tree leaves, which can defoliate forests, parks, crops and residential areas. Without treatment, spongy moths can spread to other areas of B.C., leading to serious harm to agriculture and forestry products, including negative effects on imports and exports.

Treatment areas and products are based on years of experience and study

• In Delta and Squamish, moth numbers have been increasing for more than two years.
• Treatments occur only when necessary. Without an eradication program, it is highly likely spongy moths will become permanent in the province, which will lead to significant adverse implications for the province and country.
• The active ingredient in the treatment, Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk), is naturally present in soils throughout the province.
• Btk affects only the stomachs of caterpillars. It has no effects on people, pets, birds or other wildlife.
• The treatments have been approved for the control of spongy moth larvae in Canada since 1961 and have occurred regularly in B.C. since 1979, most recently in 2024.

Requests for applications have been submitted for the 2026 treatment plan, which will occur in the spring, with a planned treatment window between April 1 and June 15, 2026. Three aerial sprays for each treatment location are generally required. An informational open house will also be held to answer questions from those in the treatment areas.

Anyone wanting to contribute information about the treatment sites for the evaluation of the permit applications must send copies of the information to the applicant and administrator by Feb. 21, 2026: 

Applicant: British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food, 1767 Angus Campbell Rd., Abbotsford, B.C. V3G 2M3, or by email at: Spongy.moth@gov.bc.ca;
and 
Administrator: Administrator under the Integrated Pest Management Act at Ministry of Environment and Parks, Suite 200, 10470-152 St., Surrey, B.C. V3R 0Y3, or by email at: ENVCIA@gov.bc.ca 

Learn More:

• To learn about spongy moths, call: 1-866-917-5999, toll-free, or visit: https://www.gov.bc.ca/spongymoth
• For information about the pesticide-use permit application or to see a map of planned treatment areas, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/spongy-news
• The pesticide-use permit application and treatment-area maps are available for viewing at Delta’s and Squamish’s city and municipal hall, and on their websites.