FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2024
Contact: Dan Richter, Public Information Officer, (608) 419-5352, dan.richter@wisconsin.gov
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MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has published its 2024 spongy moth aerial treatment plans. Treatment plan maps, spray information, fact sheets, and other resources can be found at smaerialspray.wi.gov.
“In 2023, spongy moth populations reached record levels in much of eastern and central Wisconsin," said Michael Falk, Forest Pest Survey and Control Unit Supervisor at DATCP. “Our 2024 treatment plan is designed to prevent these large populations from spreading into uninfested regions of western Wisconsin and causing damage to our timber, nursery, and tourism industries."
Beginning in May and continuing through July, DATCP plans to treat selected areas in western Wisconsin using low-flying planes. A total of approximately 28,590 acres at 23 sites in nine counties are scheduled for treatment. These areas have been identified as having increasing populations of spongy moth, a destructive non-native insect with an appetite for hundreds of different species of trees and shrubs.
The following counties are scheduled to receive aerial treatments: Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Dunn, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, and Rusk. An interactive map of treatment areas is available online.
Spongy moth program staff will present information regarding treatment plans at two upcoming public presentations. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with staff, learn more about the spongy moth, and view maps of treatment areas.
The presentations will be:
Platteville: Thursday, March 14, 5:30-7:00 p.m.; Platteville Public Library, 225 W. Main St., Platteville
Chippewa Falls: Monday, March 18, 5:30-7:00 p.m.; Chippewa Falls Public Library, 105 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls
For more information, visit smaerialspray.wi.gov or spongymoth.wi.gov. Members of the public can also sign up for email updates, call the toll-free hotline at (800) 642-MOTH, or email questions to spongymoth@wisconsin.gov.
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