It looks to be another very bad year for gypsy moth infestation in Montague. Below are some services, products and educational web sites available to the homeowner in combating these pests and their defoliation of our trees.*

AERIAL SPRAYING:

Rebecca Lynn Flying Service, Inc.
This is a company located in Livingston, New York, which will spray areas of infestation with chemicals applied from small aircraft.
Contact: Charles G. Webber (518) 537-7433
www.rebeccalynnflyingservice.com

CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS:

Eradicoat7 This is a relatively new product on the market, and has apparently worked well in several municipalities. It is available through mail order.
Contact: Pat Canfora patcanfora@eradicoat.com
www.eradicoat.com

NON-CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS:

Several home remedy treatments are available as options. One is to band the tree with burlap or duct tape and apply a coating of Vaseline to the band. Although this form may be preferred for its non-toxicity to other living organisms, the method requires
maintenance of removing the dead caterpillars on a regular basis.

Another method is the use of Traps. These come in different styles and will be available in local hardware stores, Home Depot and Lowes. They are more effective if used in conjunction with one of the other methods, as they are effective only after the caterpillars have turned into moths. Although the tree damage has already occurred, the use of traps will prevent fertilization of the eggs for the succeeding year.

*The Township of Montague offers the above information as a public service to its residents only, and makes no warranty, or representation, either express or implied, with respect to any service or product mentioned herein, its quality, merchantability, safety, fitness for a particular purpose, or conformity to any representation or description.