The Province of BC is preparing to conduct aerial-spray treatments in an effort to prevent gypsy moth populations from becoming established in Courtenay.
The provincial government says gypsy moths can pose a risk to forests, farms, orchards and trees and have scheduled aerial-spray treatments in the Vancouver Island community for the spring of 2021.
According to the government, the treatment area spans 187-hectares around Highway 19A, between Rennison Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway.
The Province notes that the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has applied for a pesticide use permit in order to carry out the aerial sprays.
The area to received treatment in Courtenay includes agricultural, residential and commercial properties, notes the government.
“Trapping and monitoring results over the past several years show clear evidence that gypsy moth populations are becoming established in the proposed treatment area,” reads a statement from the ministry.
This won’t be the first time that the government has performed aerial-spray treatments in Courtenay targeting the gypsy moth population either.
Back in 2018, treatment was carried out on a 94-hectare area within the same boundary of the 2021 project, however, the government says that a residual population of gypsy moths survived just outside the space.
“If left untreated, this invasive moth could spread to other areas of the province by attaching its egg masses to vehicles and other goods and materials,” adds the Ministry.
Four separate aerial-sprays are being scheduled by the Province between April 15 and June 30, 2021, to control the moth population.
The government says that the spray, Foray 48B, does not harm humans, mammals, birds, fish, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bees or other insects – it specifically affects only gypsy moth caterpillars after they have ingested it.
These gypsy moths have been unintentionally brought to B.C. on vehicles and equipment from eastern North America.
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