Contact: Nolan Stracke, Public Information Officer, 608-215-5476, nolan.stracke@wisconsin.gov
Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020, william2.cosh@wisconsin.gov

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has scheduled a series of open house meetings to present this year’s gypsy moth aerial treatment plans. Meetings will be held March 13 in Viroqua, March 14 in Menomonie, and March 15 in Ladysmith.

“The gypsy moth is a serious invasive pest that threatens our forests and urban trees. It can have a negative impact on Wisconsin’s timber, paper, nursery and tourism industries,” said Christopher Foelker, manager of DATCP’s gypsy moth program.

Beginning in May and continuing through late July or early August, DATCP plans to treat selected areas in western Wisconsin using low-flying planes. A total of approximately 170,777 acres at 51 sites in 18 counties are scheduled for treatment. These areas have been identified as having increasing populations of gypsy moth, a destructive non-native insect with an appetite for hundreds of different species of trees and shrubs.

Counties scheduled to receive aerial treatments are: Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Lafayette, Pepin, Polk, Richland, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, and Washburn.

Gypsy moth program staff will present information regarding treatment plans at these sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with staff, learn more about the gypsy moth, and view maps of treatment areas.

The open house schedule is as follows:

Viroqua: Monday, March 13, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Viroqua Public Library, 205 South Rock Avenue, Viroqua, WI 54665

Menomonie: Tuesday, March 14, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Community Services Building, Room 101, 3001 US HWY 12 East, Menomonie, WI 54751

Ladysmith: Wednesday, March 15, 12 noon to 2 p.m. Ladysmith Public Library, O’Connor Room, 418 Corbett Ave W, Ladysmith, WI 54848

Those not able to attend the meetings or who would like more information regarding the program can visit http://gypsymoth.wi.gov. Also connect with DATCP on Twitter (http://twitter.com/widatcp) (@widatcp) or Facebook (http://facebook.com/widatcp).

County Acres to be Treated (Estimate)
Buffalo 17,285
Chippewa 26,341
Crawford 4,064
Douglas 40,358
Dunn 32,494
Eau Claire 898
Grant 21,201
Green 744
Lafayette 1,644

 

County Acres to be Treated (Estimate)
Pepin 628
Polk 1,783
Richland 878
Rusk 13,217
Sawyer 429
St. Croix 6,352
Trempealeau 1,838
Vernon 1,229
Washburn 431
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