2021 was the year of the gypsy moth in many parts of St. Clair County as massive numbers of the hungry gypsy moth caterpillars invaded properties in late spring and early summer.
Some property-owners placed blame on local government for getting caught off guard and not taking action, like spraying trees with an insecticide treatment, while neighboring counties had programs in place to combat the destructive pests.
The Board of Commissioners heard the complaints and action is being taken to identify the extent of the problem. Residents can fill out an online survey to report where the gypsy moth caterpillars were found this year and the extent of the damage.
There is a natural treatment of a fungus that is effective in killing the larvae, but it has to be applied at the right time in the right places. Rainfall was sufficient for most trees to recover from the early defoliation this year.
The County has not released any specific plan for treatment; they are just gathering data right now.
A link to the gypsy moth survey can be found below. A representative from the county may contact residents to inspect properties where high numbers of gypsy moths in any life stage have been reported.
http://www.stclaircounty.org/Caterpillars/CaterpillarsSurvey.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0Luhryjy6MsDT2pj54Sswwfh_ImQvr1TZKFC7vSqLb0FXKHBmC0hvd7h4
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
