Gypsy Moth Project Update - Second and Final Aerial Spraying Complete
- Schedule
The Town has completed two aerial spray applications of the biological control treatment Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) to control a gypsy moth infestation. The first spraying was completed on Friday, May 23, 2008. The second spraying was completed on Thursday, May 29, 2008. - Zones
- North Park
- Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery
- Sixteen Mile Creek Park north of Upper Middle Road
- Winston Woods Park
- Road Closures
The Town of Oakville's Traffic Section has prepared a traffic plan with the input of Halton Region Traffic Section, Halton Regional Police and other emergency services. The requirements are in place to minimize risks for you and your property as a result of the low flying helicopter. To satisfy the requirements, local road closures will occur during the spray dates. Closures will take place only for a short duration - expected to be less than 30 minutes - sometime between the hours of 5 and 8 a.m. All 9-1-1 emergency services will have full access to all properties within all spray zone areas at all times.
- Dundas Street West
From Neyagawa Boulevard to Proudfoot Trail. View map for alternate route (pdf, 372 kB). - Winston Park Drive
From Portland Drive to Plymouth Drive. View map for alternate route (pdf, 75 kB). - Plymouth Drive
From Winston Park Drive to Buckingham Road. View map for alternate route (pdf, 75 kB).
- Dundas Street West
- Cancellations
- Preparation and Follow-up
To minimize potential risks associated with the low flying helicopter, the public is requested to stay indoors for the duration of the spray and not travel in or out of the spray zone area during the treatment. For a short time following a spray, you may notice an organic smell in the air as a result of the bacteria. - Public Notification Process
Notification signs have been be posted along park and trail entrances and roads in the identified spray zones before the proposed spray dates to announce upcoming trail and road closures. Information has also been published in the Oakville Beaver and the North Oakville Today as well as on this web page.
If a spray application is going to be cancelled, a decision will ideally be made 12 to 24 hours in advance. However, last-minute cancellations are possible. A notice will be posted on this website.
European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a non-native defoliating insect considered a major pest in North America. The caterpillar, or larva stage of the insect, eats the leaves of trees making the trees more susceptible to disease and attack from other insects. The Town's Forestry staff has been monitoring gypsy moth levels in Oakville since 2005. Based on surveys conducted in the fall of 2007, a number of Town properties were identified that will likely experience serious tree defoliation in 2008 if no action is taken. This defoliation would result in wide-spread mortality of vulnerable trees - especially oak.
About Oakville's Gypsy Moth Project
In March 2008, Council approved a recommendation for the aerial spraying of about 63 hectares of Town forest properties to help control the insect infestation. The Gypsy Moth Project will involve the aerial spraying of the biological control treatment Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) by a low flying helicopter on two dates in May (depending on the weather). The spraying of Btk is permitted under the Town's Pesticide By-law and has been identified as the most responsible way to handle the current gypsy moth infestation and minimize potential outbreaks. Btk has been used by a number of municipalities in Ontario to control gypsy moth. Learn more about Btk.
Gypsy Moth Information and Resources
- Gypsy Moth Control in Oakville booklet (pdf, 873 kB)
- Gypsy Moth Project presentation (pdf, 3.5 MB)
- Town to Control Gypsy Moth Infestation - Aerial Spraying Scheduled for May (published March 5, 2008)
- February 8, 2008, Parks and Open Space Department Report (pdf, 7 MB)
- Natural Resources Canada. Canadian Forest Service - Gypsy Moth Fact Sheet
