Oakville schedules LDD moth aerial spray for early next week

Oakville | Halton | Community | Latest News |

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Published May 27, 2022 at 4:24 pm

The Town of Oakville’s Forestry Section has scheduled the first of two aerial sprays to control LDD moth infestation to take place Monday morning (May 30). INSAUGA PHOTO

The first of two LDD moth infestation aerial sprays in Oakville will be on Monday (May 30).

The Town of Oakville’s Forestry Section will take to the air with a low-flying helicopter between 5 to 9 a.m. in the morning and spray 33 town woodlands with what they say is a safe and naturally occurring insecticide.

The insecticide will help protect the urban tree canopy from the invasive moth’s caterpillars.

A second spray will be necessary within a week or two after the first, weather permitting.

Additional ground spraying may occur during the same period to target town trees adjacent to woodlands that have been identified as high-risk for LDD moth presence.

Monday’s spray is subject to weather conditions.

In the event of a date change or cancellation, up-to-date notification will be posted on oakville.ca and on the town’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

During the spray, the woodlands and trails will be closed temporarily and reopen later the same day. There are no special requirements for residents near the spray areas.

Background:

  • Based on population surveys conducted in 2021, Oakville faces extreme levels of LDD moth infestation this year that could affect 358 hectares (885 acres) of town woodlands and result in a significant loss of trees if no action is taken.
  • LDD moth is a non-native insect that is considered a major destructive pest in North America. These insects are a concern because the larvae (or caterpillar stage) can devastate trees and forests by quickly eating large amounts of leaves, mostly oak tree leaves. When leaves are lost in successive years, trees can die.
  • Municipalities have successfully conducted aerial spray programs using the naturally occurring insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (Btk) for decades. It has replaced chemical insecticides in aerial spraying programs worldwide. The use of BtK is approved by the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

For more information on the aerial spray program, visit the LDD Moth page or contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or email [email protected].

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