Winnipeg, MB – Those sticky, goopy, creepy crawlers are back – and so is our annual tree pest caterpillar control program.
Weather permitting, we will start spraying for tree pest caterpillars Tuesday night. We will target insect management areas:
- IMA 25 (Crescent Park, Point Road, Wildwood)
- IMA 32 (Rockwood)
We expect to spray on weekdays for the next four weeks. We will only spray if weather conditions allow.
We treat boulevards, City parks and cemeteries where tree pest caterpillars are plentiful and where we’ve noticed them starting to defoliate trees. We will decide on locations based on daily inspections by ground surveillance crews.
We apply Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk), a biological, organic product from high-pressure sprayers directly onto the foliage of the trees. Once Btk is ingested by the tree pest caterpillars, they stop feeding and die approximately 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
Buffer zones make it so we can’t apply Btk within 30 metres of a specific property.
Residents can apply for a buffer zone adjacent to their principal residence. Applications must include a letter and photo ID linking you to the address in question. They can be submitted:
- Via an online service request
- By emailing 311@winnipeg.ca
- By fax to 311
- In writing to the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg MB R2L 1V2
- In-person at 1539 Waverley St.
We require a minimum 72-hour turnaround time.
Register for notification
We provide an automated daily telephone and email notification system for insect control activities. Residents can register online or by contacting 311.
For more information, visit winnipeg.ca/insectcontrol