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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 6/18/2014
SUBJECT: MDA set to conduct second Duluth gypsy moth treatment June 20
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator

MDA set to conduct second Duluth gypsy moth treatment June 20
Treatment date will depend on weather
 
[Duluth, Minn.] – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing for the second treatment of approximately 1,200 acres of land in the city of Duluth to slow the spread of a gypsy moth infestation. Officials will conduct the treatment on Friday, June 20, depending on weather conditions.
 
The treatment area is located in West Duluth, in an area approximately bordered by Roosevelt Street on the north, the St. Louis River on the east and south, and two blocks west of Highway 23 on the west (see attached map).
 
Two aerial applications of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) over the same area spaced 5-10 days apart are necessary because Btk naturally breaks down in the sunlight. The first treatment of this area was conducted on Friday, June 13.
 
Btk is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has very low risk for humans or animals other than caterpillars. Btk is formed by naturally-occurring bacteria and is widely used within the organic gardening community. Btk is applied by airplane and sticks to the tree canopy. As the gypsy moth caterpillars eat the leaves, the insect ingests the bacteria and stops the caterpillars from doing any more damage.
 
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up an Arrest the Pest Hotline at 888-545-MOTH (6684). The hotline will offer the latest details about treatment dates and times. Updates before, during and after the treatments will also be given on MDA’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mnagriculture) and MDA’s Twitter account (twitter.com/mnagriculture). MDA's website (www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth) also has information about gypsy moth and control efforts.
 
The MDA offers the following tips to residents in and around the treatment area:
·         For the moth treatment to work, it must begin early in the morning. Residents may be awakened on that day by the noise of the low-flying airplane. MDA apologizes for any inconvenience;
·         The airplane noise may frighten pets, so residents may wish to keep them indoors during the treatment;
·         The treatment product has no known health effects for humans, but to avoid it residents may wish to stay indoors during the treatment and keep windows closed for a half hour after application; and,
·         The residue may accumulate on your car, outdoor play equipment or yard furniture. Spray off the items shortly afterward. Soap may be needed to remove dry residue.
                                                       
                                                                                # # #
 
CONTACT: Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185 / allen.sommerfeld@state.mn.us