DATCP to conduct spongy moth surveys in 47 counties

For the Tomahawk Leader

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), on Wednesday, May 10, announced that it will set over 10,000 traps for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) in 47 counties from mid-May through early July.

DATCP requests that property owners allow trapping staff to place traps on their land and to not disturb the traps once in place.

According to a map from DACTP, nearly all of Lincoln County, except for a narrow section in the eastern portion of the county, is within the trapping area. Roughly half of Oneida and Vilas counties and all of Price and Taylor counties are also within the trapping area.

“Traps are monitoring tools that identify pockets where spongy moth is advancing into previously uninfested areas,” said Michael Falk, DATCP Forest Entomologist. “Pinpointing these pockets allows program managers to safely and efficiently limit population spread before infestations become large enough to cause damage to trees.”

Traps are small green boxes tied to tree branches. The trap contains the scent of female spongy moths and is undetectable to humans and other insects. The boxes are used to attract and catch adult male spongy moths.

Trappers will monitor traps until August, when the male moths stop flying and the traps are removed. Trappers wear fluorescent vests and carry identification cards. Each trap is labeled with a phone number that property owners can call if they have questions or decide they want it removed.

For more information on spongy moth trapping, visit www.bit.ly/3PwflpZ, call the hotline toll-free at 800-642-MOTH, email spongymoth@wisconsin.gov or follow DATCP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.