CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture
(WVDA) is urging landowners
to sign up for the Cooperative State-County-Landowner (CSCL) Gypsy Moth
Suppression Program. The goal of the program is to help slow the spread of
the invasive gypsy moth. The sign-up period will run from July 1st until August 31st.
“Every year our state
deals with more and more invasive pests who bring potential devastation to
our forests and farm lands. The arrival of these pests is almost inevitable,
but programs like gypsy moth suppression limits the impact these pests have
on some of West Virginia’s most valuable resources,” said Commissioner of
Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “We hope people will take advantage of this
program.”
Once applications
and deposits are received, a forest health protection specialist will visit
the landowner’s property to determine if the level of gypsy moth infestation
meets program guidelines. A final decision to participate in the program must
be confirmed by signing a contract with the WVDA by early December 2019. The minimum acreage required to participate
in the program is 50 contiguous acres of wooded land. Adjoining landowners
may combine their properties to meet the acreage requirement.
“The gypsy moth is a
non-native, invasive insect that feeds on hundreds of species of trees and
shrubs, including West Virginia hardwoods. Defoliation by gypsy moth
caterpillars can weaken trees, making them more susceptible to other pests
and diseases,” said WVDA Plant
Industries Director Tim Brown.
“We have seen some great success in slowing the spread of gypsy moth here in
West Virginia.”
The CSCL Gypsy Moth
Program will accept gypsy moth egg mass survey applications from landowners
within the program area starting July 1st. Application forms and brochures
are available here
For more
information, contact WVDA Assistant Director Quentin “Butch” Sayers at qsayers@wvda.us or WVDA Gypsy Moth Program
Coordinator G. Scott Hoffman at ghoffman@wvda.us
304-788-1066.
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