Pesticide spraying at UW Thursday

Low-flying yellow planes will be spraying pesticide over the west side of the UW–Madison campus Thursday, May 22, as the state continues its efforts to control the spread of gypsy moth infestations. The planes will return for more spraying in seven to 10 days.

Several locations in the Madison area are scheduled to be sprayed, including all campus properties west of Elm Drive. Among those are Eagle Heights, Second Point and the area around the Clinical Sciences Center. The planes fly approximately 50 feet above the trees, creating a loud noise.

The spraying will begin around 5 a.m., weather conditions permitting. High winds, for instance, could delay it. The planes will be grounded from 7:15-8:30 a.m., when children are on their way to school and employees are heading for work. Spraying will resume at 8:30 a.m. and continue until it is completed.

A biological pesticide, Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis sub. sp. kurstaki), is used to kill the gypsy moth caterpillars. It is not harmful to humans, wildlife or companion animals, according to Steve Millett, coordinator of the state’s gypsy moth program. However, the low-flying aircraft could scare pets, so it might be advisable to keep them inside while the planes are in the air. Millett says humans concerned about the spraying also may wish to remain indoors or leave the area until the spraying is over.

Daniel Einstein, the university’s environmental management coordinator, says gypsy moth egg masses were found this spring on three trees on Muir Knoll and a single tree near the Food Research Institute on Willow Drive. On May 4 and 5, the trees were sprayed with a soybean-based pesticide. Because the application was only partially effective, the trees will be wrapped in burlap in an attempt to capture the gypsy moth caterpillars that were not killed by the pesticide, Einstein says.

For more information, call the Gypsy Moth Hotline at (800) 642-MOTH (6684).