By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Fearing an outbreak of gypsy moths, township officials plan to apply to the state Department of Agriculture (DOA) for financial assistance to help pay for a spraying program to kill the insects before they can devour all the tree leaves.
The DOA performed aerial and ground surveys of Lawrence Township earlier this year and discovered that about 390 acres of land have been infested by gypsy moths, Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun said.
Neighborhoods on both sides of Princeton Pike are infested, according to the survey. It includes properties bordered on the south by Oaklyn Terrace and on the north by Crest Hill Road on the west side of Princeton Pike. On the east side of Princeton Pike, it includes properties bordered by Darrah Lane East on the south and Stonicker Drive on the north.
”The gypsy moths destroy the foliage by eating the leaves on the trees,” Mr. Krawczun said. “If the trees are left untreated for three growing seasons, it will kill the trees.”
Mr. Krawczun estimated that it would cost the township about $20,000 to $25,000 to spray for the insects. He said the township would spray for gypsy moths, regardless of whether it receives partial reimbursement for its costs.
The manager said the DOA wrote to him on Oct. 23 that it has requested financial assistance from the U.S. Forest Service for up to 50 percent reimbursement for the 2008 aerial suppression program.
In the letter, state officials wrote that municipalities received a 50 percent reimbursement for costs in 2007, but they received only a 25 percent federal reimbursement for the 2006 program. It cost $39.44 per acre last year to spray the insecticide.
To participate in the state’s 2008 gypsy moth aerial suppression program, the township must adhere to several conditions, according to the letter.
Those conditions include notifying the affected property owners by mail of the township’s intention to spray at least 10 days before the spraying begins. School district officials also must be notified at least 21 days before the spraying begins.
Spraying may take place between 5:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and 5 to 8 p.m. Mr. Krawczun said the township would not spray when children are going to or coming home from school. The spray program would be done in the spring, he added.
Bacillus thuringiensis — which the DOA said would be the only insecticide used — is a naturally occurring bacteria that has been used safely for over 30 years to control insects in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s Web site.
”B.t. is a biological control method that is an alternative to chemical pesticides,” according to health.state.mn.us. “B.t. does not disrupt the ecological balance or harm most non-target organisms. Research shows that the level of B.t. in the air decreases to very low levels within 30 to 90 minutes after an aerial application. Two hours after an application, B.t. concentrations in the air are typically below levels that can be measured.”
B.t. spray is considered safe for humans, but people may avoid exposure by staying indoors during spraying, according to the Web site. People should stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after spraying to allow droplets to settle. One should wait until the spray has dried before touching grass or shrubs.
If there is residue on playground equipment, sandboxes, benches or lawn chairs, they should be hosed off, the Web site stated. Exposed skin should be washed with soap and water, if direct contact with the spray droplets occurs. If the material gets into the eyes, it is advisable to flush them with water for 15 minutes.

