The voracious tree destroying Gypsy Moth is causing concern in some areas of Quinte West and in other regions in Central and Eastern Ontario.
Director of Public Works and Environmental Services for Quinte West Chris Angelo says residents are complaining of trees being ravaged by hungry Gypsy Moths in the Wooler area, around the Oak Hills, and along Foxboro-Stirling Road.
In a report to the city’s public works committee Angelo says more information needs to be gathered on the extent of the problem and then push for a regional aerial spraying program to eradicate the moths.
“Gypsy moths, like noxious weeds, don’t know municipal boundaries. It makes no sense to try and tackle the problem on a strictly local, community-by-community basis. I’m suggesting we gather more information from residents and actually map in detail the extent of the problem in Quinte West.”
Angelo is recommending staff set up a link on the city’s website for residents affected by the moths to provide information.
An important next step would be to bring the Ministry of Natural Resources and other areas into the discussion to bring about an action plan.
“Back in the 1980s, Hastings County actually had a Gypsy Moth coordinator who administered an effective aerial spraying program in this part of Ontario to put a halt to the destruction of forests.”
