City of Richmond
Aerial Gypsy Moth Treatment Planned in Richmond
1 March 2010VICTORIA - The Ministry of Forests and Range has been issued a pesticide-use permit to aerial spray 776 hectares in Richmond with a spray approved for use on organic farms to eradicate a growing population of gypsy moth and minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms, orchards, and residents' trees.
The ministry is planning up to four aerial applications of Foray 48B between April 15 and June 30, 2010 to control the moth. Foray 48B has been approved for use on organic farms by the Organic Materials Review Institute and contains Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk). Btk does not harm humans, mammals, birds, fish, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bees or other insects and only affects caterpillars after they have ingested it. Btk is naturally present in urban, forest and agricultural soil around the province and has been approved for the control of gypsy moth larvae in Canada since 1961.
Trapping and monitoring results indicate a growing gypsy moth population in the treatment area, from the Fraser River to Westminster Highway and from Gilbert Road to Shell Road. If left untreated, the moth could spread to new areas of the province via the container, rail and shipyards found in Richmond. The permit and map are available at Richmond City Hall and at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/gypsymoth.
Treatment dates are weather-dependent and will be advertised closer to the first application date. Each treatment application will be completed before 7:30 a.m.
The public is invited to an open house on Thursday, March 25, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the East Richmond Community Hall, 12360 Cambie Road. Provincial and federal representatives from members of the B.C. Gypsy Moth Technical Advisory Committee will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the program.
The gypsy moth is an introduced pest species, with caterpillars that feed on tree leaves and that can damage forests, farms and orchards. Large gypsy moth populations defoliated sections of forests and residential areas in Ontario and the eastern U.S. in recent years. The moths are unintentionally brought to B.C. on vehicles and equipment from eastern North America. Infested locations are often subject to product and transportation quarantines and area treatment, including individual vehicle checks, and annual aerial spraying.
For more information, residents can visit www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/gypsymoth or call 1-866 917-5999.
