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Gypsy Moth Spraying Cost Share Program and Education
Willie Lantz is the PI. Garrett County has had infestations of gypsy moth caterpillars since the early 1990’s. Suppression programs and natural enemies have kept the damage caused by the caterpillars to a minimum in most years. Starting in the spring of 2005, unusually high numbers of caterpillars were discovered in some areas of the county. In the fall of 2006, the Garrett County MCE office was asked by the Garrett County Commissioners to assist with efforts to suppress the gypsy moths. The Garrett County office has combined efforts with the Garrett County Forestry Board and Maryland Department of Agriculture to implement the suppression program in 2007. Despite spraying over 15,000 acres in 2007, the summer of 2007 saw over 40,000 acres of defoliation due to gypsy moths.
The Garrett County Office conducted egg mass surveys and educational events for numerous landowners in the County. The Garrett County Extension office also worked with the county commissioners to develop a cost share program to assist forest landowners pay for the cost of spraying. The office also assisted the Garrett County Forestry Board with efforts to educate the public and legislative leaders about the need for funding for gypsy moth funding. An information CD was developed using a power point format which explained the need for protecting the forest land from gypsy moth damage. The CD contained numerous photos of the destruction from the spring of 2008. The CD was mailed to all of the Maryland state senators and representatives as well as being made available on the Extension website and at the public libraries in Garrett County. An educational program entitled “Managing Your Woodlots to Protect Against Gypsy Moth Damage – Short and Long Term Solutions” was developed. The program included speakers from MDA, USDA Forest Service, Maryland DNR, and Maryland Cooperative Extension.
For more information, contact Willie Lantz
Last updated: 04/8/2009
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