Province to aerial spray for spongy pests in Lower Mainland this spring
B.C. is getting ready to fight spongy moths in the Lower Mainland.
This spring, the Province will aerial spray 36 hectares in Delta and 121 hectares in Squamish to “eradicate spongy moths and minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms, and trees.”
In Delta, B.C., the Province will spray around Beach Grove. In Squamish, west and south of the intersection of Buckley Avenue and Third Avenue.
The pesky insects eat tree leaves in their caterpillar form, damaging forests, parks, crops, and residential areas, which can have a serious impact on forests and farms.
“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,” reads a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
“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 spongy moth first came to North America from Europe in 1869, with the North American strain first seen in B.C. in 1978.
Once they arrive somewhere, they can cause harm to both the environment and the economy, with the potential to impact forestry, fruit producers, and native trees.
While they are spreading in the east of the continent, they’ve yet to become permanently established in B.C. — something that the province hopes to keep that way by eradicating the species quickly.
The Province will spray Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk), which is only harmful to moth and butterfly caterpillars. It is naturally found in soils in B.C and doesn’t have any known toxic effects for people, birds, pets, and other animals.
The plan is to spray it between April 1 and June 15 of this year, depending on spongy moth development and weather.