On the morning of Saturday, July 21, I talked with Middleton forester Harry Libby, who was walking around the Sak’s Woods neighborhood doing a survey (count) of gypsy moth egg masses (see photo above). He seems to believe that we have enough of a “problem” to justify a “Supression Treatment” spraying program in the Spring. This spray program would involve the use of an organic insecticide Btk like they have used in parts of Madison in recent years. In the meantime, it’s best to not disturb the egg masses for now — let the parasitic wasps do their job for the next month or two…then in October, we can begin to destroy the egg masses by using a horticultural oil (which should be available at places like Bruce Company soon). I have removed all my burlap tree skirts, since I was no longer harvesting any caterpillars or seeing any new pupae.
