Cloquet targeted for spongy (gypsy) moth treatments

Cloquet is one of four northeastern Minnesota sites slated for treatment of spongy (gypsy) moth infestations this summer.

The four proposed treatment areas include approximately 75 acres in the city of Duluth, nearly 500 acres in Cloquet, and two areas in Lake County totaling approximately 45,100 acres.

Spongy moths are ranked among America's most destructive tree pests. The insect has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England to Wisconsin in recent decades. Spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. This pest is found in most of Wisconsin and is now establishing in northeastern Minnesota.

“The gypsy moth is a serious threat and has the potential to negatively impact our timber, nursery, and tourism industries, and be a public nuisance during major outbreaks,” said Kimberly Thielen Cremers, supervisor of MDA’s Pest Mitigation Unit. “To protect our natural resources, we need to slow gypsy moth’s spread into Minnesota.”

The MDA monitors for gypsy moth each year, watching for start-up infestations. When an infestation is found, the department conducts aerial or ground treatments using an organic insecticide and targets the infestation before it can spread. The 13 treatments totaling 136,400 acres are proposed in Carlton, Hennepin, Houston, Lake, St. Louis, Wabasha, and Winona counties. These areas include portions of the cities of Brownsville, Duluth, Minneapolis, Proctor, Two Harbors, and Winona. The treatments will be conducted from May though July, depending on insect development and weather.

To find out more information, go to http://www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments. Residents in each of the treatment areas will be receiving postcards with more information.