Winnipeg, MB - Today, the Insect Control Branch announced the start of its forest tent caterpillar control program for City trees. This season’s program will be treating very selective City boulevards and focusing on City cemeteries and parks, where forest tent caterpillars are starting to cause significant levels of defoliation. Current surveillance information indicates that the forest tent caterpillar larvae are feeding on the leaves causing many small holes known as “shot hole” damage.
The Insect Control Branch will begin its forest tent caterpillar control program Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 9:30 p.m. Tree spraying will be carried out in Insect Management Area 49. Throughout the program, surveillance crews will continue to identify areas of the city where trees require treatment.
Other defoliators such as the elm span worm and cankerworms may require treatment this season. The public will be notified if a control program for these defoliators is required.
Forest Tent Caterpillar Control Program details
A Public Service Announcement will be issued daily providing information on what areas of the city will be sprayed the following day. This announcement will also be posted at City of Winnipeg - Insect Control News/Public Notices. Until further notice, the forest tent caterpillar treatment program will occur daily from 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., weather permitting.
Recent monitoring of the forest tent caterpillar population indicates that most areas of the city will have minimal damage except on some localized streets where major defoliation may occur. Forest tent caterpillar larvae typically feed on American Elm, Manitoba Maple, Green Ash, and ornamental trees.
Treatment will be conducted utilizing Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a biological, organic product which is sprayed from high pressure tree sprayers directly onto the foliage of the trees. Once Btk is ingested by forest tent caterpillars, they stop feeding and perish approximately two to three days later.
Homeowners are responsible for forest tent caterpillar control on their property
Citizens can spray their own trees with Btk which is available at most home and garden centres or they can contract a tree spraying company by referring to the Yellow Pages under tree service or exterminators.
Homeowners are reminded to remove tree bands
Please remember to remove any tree bands as the band will damage the bark of the tree if left on throughout the summer.
Buffer zones
Residents can apply for a 30-metre buffer zone in order to exempt their property during a forest tent caterpillar treatment program. Property owners not wanting insecticides applied on or adjacent to their principal residence may register as “Anti-Pesticide Registrants” for forest tent caterpillar control using Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki). Those who wish to register must provide identification that ties the registrant to the address being registered for a buffer zone. A photocopy or scanned document like a driver’s licence, Manitoba Hydro, MTS or other utility bill will suffice as acceptable identification proving primary residence.
There are four different options to register:
- In writing to Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg, MB R2L 1V2,
- Emailing 311 at 311@winnipeg.ca
- Faxing 311, and
- In person at 1539 Waverley Street.
A 72-hour turnaround time is required for processing.
Email notification
Citizens may register for email notification regarding adult mosquito and/or forest tent caterpillar control programs by visiting City of Winnipeg - Insect Control Register for Notification. They can also register for telephone notification by calling 311 and leaving their name, address and phone number. Once registered, residents will receive automated phone or email notification identifying the area(s) of the City in which the Insect Control crews are intending to work, weather permitting.
More information
For more information contact 311, or visit City of Winnipeg - Forest Tent Caterpillars.