Forest Service employs aerial spraying against spongy moths
Contact Information: District Ranger Mary Yonce 540-984-4101 Mary.yonce@usda.gov
Edinburg, Va. May 12, 2024—The George Washington – Jefferson National Forest in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Emergency Services, West Virginia Department of Forest Health, local counties, and The Nature Conservancy will begin aerial suppression treatments of nonnative spongy moth caterpillars across sections of the Lee and North River Ranger Districts. Treatments will continue periodically until May 18, 2024 depending on weather conditions. While impacts will be minimal, the public is advised to follow posted signage in spray areas.
Aerial applications are funded from the American Relief Act. Areas previously defoliated by spongy moths were further stressed by wind impacts from Hurricane Helene, and these treatments aim to strengthen forest health. 19,000 acres of the George Washington – Jefferson National Forest will be treated this season.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will use a naturally occurring bacteria - Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, or Btk, as an aerial pesticide. Btk is widespread in natural ecosystems and is not harmful to humans, pets, plants, or most beneficial insects. The spray will not cause harm to painted surfaces and can be removed with soap and water. 20,000 acres will be sprayed from a specialized helicopter in May planned to help minimize spongy moth spread onto adjacent lands.
These suppression goals will not eliminate spongy moths from the George Washington – Jefferson National Forest completely but will minimize their impacts in targeted infestation areas. Treatment areas were chosen based on USFS egg mass population surveys during the fall of 2023 and aerial defoliation mapping conducted by the Virginia Department of Forestry in June 2023.
For more information, please contact the North River Ranger District at 540-432-0187, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/gwj or follow us on Facebook.
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