Department Preparing to Treat 1,000 Acres for Gypsy Moth

Invasive Pest Threatens Forest and Shade Trees

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Weather permitting, the Maryland Department of Agriculture will begin aerial spraying tomorrow (April 27) on the Eastern Shore to combat the destructive gypsy moth, an invasive pest that destroys forest and shade trees.  The spraying is expected to take two days and will occur in spray blocks located in Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties.  All property owners directly affected by the spraying have been notified by letter.

Maps of areas to be sprayed and spray schedules are on the department’s webpage.  Please be aware that many weather conditions can interfere with, or prevent, scheduled spraying. When a spray schedule is canceled, it will be rescheduled, but not necessarily for the next day. Please check the webpage for updates.

When the Maryland Department of Agriculture begins spraying, residents can follow the department’s Gypsy Moth Twitter account for updates on the progress of the helicopters. Follow @MDGypsyMoth.

Every year, the Maryland Department of Agriculture monitors the presence and severity of gypsy moth infestations and assesses potential damage and tree loss. Predators, parasites, and diseases often kill gypsy moths; however, when the natural enemies fail to suppress high infestations, the department will work with federal and local governments to conduct aerial insecticide treatments to protect and preserve forest and shade trees. In FY15, staff surveyed more than 500,000 acres and the department did not spray for gypsy moth last spring. In FY14, staff surveyed nearly 480,000 acres and treated 5,200 acres in Garrett, Allegany and a small portion of Talbot counties. In FY 2013, staff surveyed nearly 528,000 acres and treated 12,000 acres in Garrett, St. Mary’s and Worcester counties.  The last major outbreak was in 2007-2009 when more than 88,000 acres of trees were defoliated and the department treated more than 182,000 acres.

For more information about the Forest Pest Management Program, click here.

For more comprehensive info on gypsy moth, see the department’s Gypsy Moth Program webpage.

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Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Twitter @MdAgDept