Spraying is planned to control gypsy moths
Part of East Bruns. has high concentration of egg masses
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - The township is alerting residents that spraying to control gypsy moths this spring will not present a human health risk.

The aerial spraying is expected in early May in the southern region of East Brunswick, according to Township Business Administrator James White, who gave a presentation at last week's Township Council meeting.

White said the area was found in a state survey to have a high number of gypsy moth egg masses and are in need of spraying. While most of Middlesex County was not determined to have this infestation problem, portions of East Brunswick and Spotswood did qualify.

White stressed that the township will use Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) a biological insecticide with no known toxic effect on humans. The bacterium is most effective against the smaller gypsy moth caterpillars, making the timing of application important.

The issue of whether to use the controversial pesticide Dimilin has been discussed statewide, since Bt's effectiveness has been questioned, but the possible health effects of Dimilin prompted the state Department of Environmental Protection to reject its use.

Despite the debate, White said East Brunswick never planned to use anything except Bt which he described as "very effective" and having the stamp of approval from state environmental agencies and groups. Dimilin is a chemical insecticide that also kills beneficial insects.

White said New Jersey towns have been undergoing gypsy moth spraying since the 1980s, and East Brunswick also sprayed back then.

The gypsy moth, in its caterpillar stage, is the most destructive hardwood defoliator ever to occur in New Jersey, according to the state Department of Agriculture. The caterpillars have caused varying degrees of defoliation, or leaf loss, to between 1,910 and 800,000 acres of forest land in New Jersey each year since 1970.

The state delineates infestations of gypsy moths each summer through an aerial survey, and contacts municipalities about conducting a gypsy moth egg mass count, which determines whether it qualifies for the aerial spray program. Municipal participation in the program is voluntary.

White said nearly 460 acres will be sprayed in East Brunswick, about a quarter of which has concentrated egg masses.

The cost of the spraying will be borne by the township, he said, and will require that East Brunswick purchase two applications at $40 per acre each time. The total cost is not yet known.

White said that although the state will perform the spraying, the local towns foot the bill.

It is anticipated the spraying will take place on May 1, which is about the time when gypsy moths come out of the larva stage.

During the spraying, weather balloons will be put up so the sprayer knows the boundaries. Wind speeds and rain can affect the process.

The spraying will take place during the school week, so the township was expected to meet with school officials to arrange plans so that students are not affected by the spraying, White said. The state allows a one-hour time frame when the spraying can be paused, and the township wants that to coincide with the time that students are going to school.

Though no schools are actually in the spraying zone, the areas of the Frost and Bowne-Munro schools will be affected, White said.

The township will advertise the spraying in newspapers and make sure that all those living in the area are notified.