Gypsy moths have caused tree damage throughout Oakland County, but Brandon Township has escaped relatively unscathed from the problem.
Township treasurer Linda Owen, the township’s gypsy moth liaison for Oakland County, said there hasn’t been a gypsy moth problem in the township for about 4-5 years, although there have been scatters of moths ‘here and there.?
The moths have been problems in several other areas of the county. According to a press release issued by the county, the moths have been prevalent in areas of Pontiac, Auburn Hills and Waterford. In one particular area of Pontiac, the city sprayed to save the trees from massive defoliation.
Carol Lenchek, Oakland County’s Environmental Coordinator and longtime manager of the county’s gypsy moth program, said there is no way of answering why the moths have not been a problem in the township.
‘I cannot honestly tell you why they’re not there,? she said. ‘They have had gypsy moths in the past. I can assume people (in Brandon Township) haven’t had problems.?
At Hamilton’s Fuel and Feed, 465 Mill St., Ortonville, owner Bill Kratt sells caterpillar tape and gypsy moth bait for residents experiencing problems with the moth. However, he hasn’t had to deal much with the problem this year.
‘To be honest, only a couple of people came in to complain,? he said.
Lenchek said the gypsy moth can be described as a hairy, black caterpillar with a double row of blue and red spots down its back. She added they will be feeding for another 1-2 weeks.
According to Lenchek, if an area in Oakland County experiences significant problems with infestation of gypsy moths, the county will implement its suppression program.
The following May after the county determines an area has a gypsy moth problem, it will use an aircraft to spray leaves on the area’s trees with B.T, a chemical which paralyzes caterpillars once they eat the leaves it is sprayed on.
‘It’s an environmentally friendly way to combat gypsy moths, but it has to be done early in the season,? Lenchek said.
Those people looking for tips on how to combat defoliation of trees and shrubs by gypsy moths should visit the county’s gypsy moth Web site, www.co.oakland.mi.us/waste. On the left-hand navigator, click on Environmental Programs, then click on gypsy moth.
Details: Oakland County Garden Hotline, Michigan State University Extension, 248-858-0902.