Moth spraying scheduled

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will treat one area in Carlton County and three areas in and around the city of Duluth beginning today, July 14, to slow the spread of spongy moth (aka gypsy moth). Officials will conduct aerial treatments July 14, break for the weekend to clear the sky for the Duluth Air Show, and begin again on Monday, July 17. Work will begin as early as 6:30 a.m. each morning and continue throughout the day.

The treatment area in Carlton County is near Holyoke, along the Wisconsin border, totaling approximately 14,000 acres.

The MDA sprays an organically certified, waxy, food-grade substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuses the male moths, reducing mating success. This results in fewer caterpillars hatching and attacking trees next year.