Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has scheduled two open houses to discuss its 2024 Spongy Moth treatment program for northwest Illinois. The sessions aim to inform the public about upcoming spray treatments in the region.

The first open house will take place on March 27, 2024, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Galena Public Library, located at 601 S. Bench Street, Galena, IL. This session will cover two areas in JoDaviess County where Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (BtK) will be applied in late April or May.

A second open house is planned for April 11, 2024, also from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Lanark Public Library, situated at 111 S. Boyd Street, Lanark, IL. This meeting will focus on one area in Carroll County that will receive a BtK application during the same period and a mating disruption treatment in June.

Spongy Moth is a non-native pest that can severely damage trees by stripping them bare and making them vulnerable to disease and environmental stressors. Unlike other pests such as the emerald ash borer, Spongy Moths are not selective eaters and feed on over 250 plant species with a preference for oak and willow trees.

The IDOA plans to treat infested sites using either Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki (BtK) or mating disruption methods based on infestation levels. The BtK product used is Valent Foray 48B - Organic, which will be applied by helicopter in late April or May depending on weather conditions. JoDaviess County will receive a second application about one week later; however, Carroll County will only have one application.

BtK is recognized as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and poses no harm to humans or animals. In mid-June, airplanes will apply Splat GM-Organic—a pheromone-based mating disruption product—specifically targeting Spongy Moths in Carroll County.

Those interested in learning more about these treatment methods are encouraged to attend the open houses where IDOA staff members will be available for questions. Additional inquiries can be directed to their DeKalb Office via phone at 815-787-5476 or email Nancy.Johnson@Illinois.gov.

Maps detailing treatment areas can be viewed online at slowthespread.org/pages/illinois-outreach.