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   You are the first line of defense for protecting your property from damage by gypsy moth.  Take time to inspect your trees, shrubs, structures, lawn objects, and recreational vehicles  periodically for the various life forms of gypsy moth.

   Begin by destroying all egg masses in the month of April before they hatch.  Scrape them into a bucket of soapy water and let them sit for a day.  Hiding bands or sticky bands can be used on trees in your yard to help reduce the number of caterpillars feeding on foliage of the trees.  Conventional chemical insecticides can effectively control gypsy moth in some situations.  However, precautionary measures must be followed to avoid toxicity to humans, animals and other non-target organisms.

   Always follow all label instructions when using these or any other pest control product.  We need everyone’s help in detecting gypsy moth populations and keeping this insect from spreading to new neighborhoods.  Failure to inspect household articles for gypsy moth life stages prior to movement from a regulated area is a violation of USDA quarantine regulations and may result in significant civil penalties. 

  

   To be most effective in minimizing defoliation B. t. k. Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (commonly found in soil and on plants) is applied by aerial spraying when the caterpillars are less than one inch long.  When caterpillars eat B.t., the protein crystals dissolve in their digestive system and become toxic.  Within three to five days they die.

   As caterpillars get larger, the efficacy of B.t. diminishes. B.t. has a reported residual activity (i.e. how long it remains potent) of about a week and is broken down by sunlight.  B.t. is only known to be toxic to feeding caterpillars of moths and butterflies and is quite safe to humans, birds, fish, beneficial insects and other non-target organisms.