Gypsy Moth Suppression Program

Overview

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resource through the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program acts to protect forested residential and recreational areas and certain other high-use areas from serious gypsy moth damage. The program is not designed to prevent or retard the spread of the gypsy moth, or to control it in uninhabited forestlands. The goal is control, not eradication, of the pest.

The Conservation District role in the program includes accepting applications for participation in each year’s program, surveying sites to verify program criteria are met, and providing liaison between the landowners, PA DCNR, and the aerial spray applicators.

Program Criteria

This is a forested residential program. These criteria may change at the discretion of Pennsylvania DCNR. In order to be considered for inclusion in the program the following criteria must be met:

A minimum count of 250 gypsy moth egg masses per acre or significant danger of blow-in.
Heavily wooded (over 50% of area near the home covered by tree crown) and have a permanent dwelling on the property within 200 feet of the forest.
Have trees composed of at least 25 % highly favored species such as oaks that are at least 25 feet in height. Maples, tulip poplar, locust and pines are NOT highly favored species. Lots with a few ornamental trees, or hedgerow type groupings are not considered forested.
Have 25 acres of heavily wooded land in the area around the property. If it is an island of trees in the midst of fields or open lots, it will not qualify.

Twenty-five acres are necessary to set a spray block, please speak to your neighbors and make application together, because they will become part of a spray block with you.

Gypsy Moth Biology and Control Links

PA DCNR site with program, biology, and control method information.

Bedford County Conservation District