City of Winnipeg begins tree pest caterpillar control program

Released: May 26, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB – On Sunday, May 28, weather permitting, the City of Winnipeg will commence its tree pest caterpillar control program starting at 9:30 p.m. in Insect Management Areas 21 (Fort Richmond), 30 (South River Heights), and 38 (Deer Lodge). Spraying is scheduled to occur Sunday to Thursday evenings during this projected 4-week program. Treatment will only occur when the weather conditions are conducive for spraying.

“The tree pest caterpillars have hatched based on the most current surveillance data and they are actively feeding on leaves” said David Wade, Superintendent of Insect Control. “Winnipeggers can expect to see moderate levels of defoliation in some parts of the city based on our observations.”

This season’s program will be treating boulevards, as well as City parks and cemeteries where tree pest caterpillars are high in numbers and where they are starting to defoliate trees. Daily inspections by ground surveillance crews will be used to prioritize the Insect Management Areas to be included in the treatment program.

Treatment will be conducted utilizing Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies 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 the tree pest caterpillars, they stop feeding and perish approximately two to three days later. 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.

Buffer zones
All buffer zones will be respected. Crews will ensure that the sprayer is not treating within 30 metres on each side of a registered property on the front street, side street, and rear lane.

Residents can apply for a 30-metre buffer zone to exempt their property during the tree pest caterpillar treatment program. Property owners not wanting insecticides applied on or adjacent to their principal residence may register as “Anti-Pesticide Registrants” for tree pest caterpillar control using Btk. Those who want to register must provide identification that ties the registrant to the address being registered for a buffer zone. A photocopy or scanned document such as a driver’s licence or utility bill will suffice as acceptable identification proving primary residence.

Buffer zone applications must be received through one of the following options:

Register for notification
The Insect Control Branch offers an automated telephone and email notification system. Residents who register for this service will receive daily phone or email notifications for all tree pest caterpillar control activities. Residents can register for notification online or by contacting 311.

More information
For more information, contact 311or visit the City’s Insect Control website.

News

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.