Email regarding Spongy Moth Aerial Spray Eradication Program
Communication from the Ministry of Forests providing details on the upcoming aerial spray treatment for spongy moth populations.
From: Bains, Babita FOR:EX Babita.Bains@gov.bc.ca Sent: May 4, 2023 3:59 PM To: Bains, Babita FOR:EX Babita.Bains@gov.bc.ca Subject: Spongy Moth Aerial Spray Eradication Program: View Royal, Esquimalt & Belmont
Spongy Moth Aerial Spray Eradication Program: View Royal, Esquimalt & Belmont
The Ministry of Forests will be treating the following areas with Foray 48B, active ingredient Btk, to eradicate establishing spongy moth populations with an anticipated start date of May 11th and May 12:
- View Royal: 381 ha
- Esquimalt: 267 ha
- Belmont (Colwood): 341 ha
Program information has been sent to all residents within the spray zones and buffer zones (postcard is attached). Additionally, the treatment areas will have lawn signs at all entrance points and there will be LED signs on highways to notify traffic of low-flying aircraft. The Ministry first reached out to residents in January with a first round of postcards to inform them of the program and two public open houses that were held virtually, with advertisements of the Pesticide Use Permit application and announcement of permit issuance. Additionally, the Ministry has released two information bulletins to the media (January and May), and both were published in local papers.
Each area outlined above will be treated three times and each treatment will occur 7 – 10 days apart. A single treatment can take up to two days to complete (View Royal and Esquimalt will be sprayed over two days as half of each area will be treated each day; Belmont will be treated in one day). Treatments occur between first light (~5am) and will be completed by 7:30 am. The Ministry recommends that all residents stay indoors during the spray to avoid exposure. Foray 48B is approved for use over populated areas and although it poses a low risk to humans, we still recommend that individuals stay indoors.
Please note that spray dates are tentative and can change under short notice however capturing the biological window for treatment is crucial so sprays will only be canceled or delayed due to weather.
As per the Pesticide Use Permit, I will be sending notifications at least 24 hours before commencing each application with the biological insecticide, Foray 48B.
If you would like to learn more about our program please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/spongymoth-news. Residents can also subscribe to our spongy moth news page to receive automated program notifications (24 hour spray notices, spray completion notices and other program updates).
Thank-you,
Babita
Babita Bains, MSc, RPF Provincial Forest Entomologist Forest Science, Planning and Practices Branch Office of the Chief Forester Ministry of Forests Office: 236-468-2295
I acknowledge with respect and gratitude the Coast Salish peoples of the QayQayt Nation whose ancestral, unceded and traditional territories that I live and work on.