Winnipeg, MB - Today, the City of Winnipeg announced the start of its forest tent caterpillar control program and elm bark beetle control program, and provided an update on the spring mosquito larviciding program.
Forest Tent Caterpillar Control Program
The Insect Control Branch will begin its forest tent caterpillar control program on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Tree spraying will be carried out in Insect Management Areas 49 and 51 and 50 (Kildonan Park). Throughout the program, surveillance crews will continue to identify areas of the city where trees require treatment.
“This season’s program will be treating City boulevards and focusing on City cemeteries and parks, where forest tent caterpillars are starting to cause significant levels of defoliation,” said Ken Nawolsky, superintendent of insect control. “Current surveillance information indicates that the forest tent caterpillar larvae are feeding on the leaves causing many small holes known as ‘shot hole’ damage. Winnipeggers can expect to see a significant amount of forest tent caterpillars this May and June based on surveillance information.”
Forest tent caterpillar larvae typically feed on American Elm, Manitoba Maple, Green Ash, and ornamental trees.
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 nightly from 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., weather permitting.
Treatment will be conducted using 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. If you are planning to spray trees on City property you are required to use Btk or Insecticidal Soap in accordance with the City of Winnipeg’s guidelines for treating City-owned trees.
Homeowners are also reminded to remove 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”. 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. A 72-hour turnaround time is required.
There are four different options to register:
- In writing to the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg, MB R2L 1V2,
- By emailing 311 at 311@winnipeg.ca
- By faxing 311, and
- In person at 1539 Waverley Street.
Elm Bark Beetle Control Program
The Elm Bark Beetle Control Program will begin on May 16, 2016, weather permitting, in Insect Management Areas 11 and 13 in the following neighbourhoods: Glenwood, Norwood East, Norwood West, Alpine Place, Elm Park, Lavalee, St. George, Varennes, and Worthington, weather permitting. The program is intended to control elm bark beetles, the carriers of Dutch Elm Disease (DED).
Weekly public service announcements will be issued on Fridays throughout the program indicating which Insect Management Areas will be treated the following week.
Treatment will occur between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, weather permitting. Treatment will occur on an ongoing basis until fall.
Treatment will be conducted using Pyrate 480 ECâ� (Chlorpyrifos), a chemical product, which is sprayed from portable sprayers directly onto the lower 50 centimetres of the tree trunk. This product has been approved for use in Canada by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and will be used in accordance with federally approved label directions by licensed pesticide applicators.
Mosquito Control Program
The Insect Control Branch continues an aggressive larviciding program and is reminding Winnipeggers to do their part and empty any standing water on their property.
“The Insect Control Branch had a successful spring larviciding program,” said Nawolsky. “Spring adult nuisance mosquitoes have emerged in very small numbers.”
The most recent city-wide New Jersey Light Trap count was 1. Currently, the Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) rating remains at Low. The Insect Control Branch is closely monitoring the AFA conditions.
More information
For more information, please contact 311, open 24 hours every day by phone at 311 or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca, or visit the City’s Insect Control website.