Richmond BC is about to be aerial-sprayed with Foray 48B to combat the gypsy moth and ithe aerosol chemicals Foray 48B and Btk seem to be nasty (press release below). The Foray 48B product label says that workers should be outfitted with particulate filter masks and protective clothing, and stay out of the fields once sprayed. Even for non-agricultural uses, the label requires applicators to "keep unprotected persons out of the treated areas until sprays have dried." You can read additional information about Foray 48B by clicking this sentence.
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INFORMATION BULLETIN
November 18, 2009
Ministry of Forests and Range
AERIAL GYPSY MOTH TREATMENT PLANNED IN RICHMOND VICTORIA
The Ministry of Forests and Range has applied for a pesticide use permit to aerial-spray 806 hectares in Richmond, with a spray approved for use on organic farms, to eradicate a growing population of gypsy moth and minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms, orchards, and trees.
Trapping and monitoring results indicate a growing gypsy moth population in the proposed treatment area, from the Fraser River to Westminster Highway, and from Gilbert Road to No. 5 Road.
If left untreated, the moth could spread to new areas of the province via the container, rail and shipyards found in Richmond.
The ministry has proposed up to four aerial applications of Foray 48B (click here to see product label) between April 15 and June 30, 2010 to control the moth. The permit application and map are available at Richmond city hall and online at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/gypsymoth.
Residents are invited to submit their comments on the application for evaluation to the Integrated Pest Management Act administrator by Dec. 18, 2009.
Foray 48B has been approved for use on organic farms by the Organic Materials Review Institute and contains Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk). Btk does not harm humans, mammals, birds, fish, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bees or other insects and only affects caterpillars after they have ingested it.
Btk is naturally present in urban, forest and agricultural soil around the province. It has been approved for the control of gypsy moth larvae in Canada since 1961.
The gypsy moth is an introduced pest species, with caterpillars that feed on tree leaves and that can damage forests, farms and orchards. Large gypsy moth populations defoliated sections of forests and residential areas in Ontario and the eastern U.S. in recent years.
The moths are unintentionally brought to B.C. on vehicles and equipment from eastern North America. Infested locations are often subject to product and transportation quarantines and area treatment, including individual vehicle checks, and annual aerial spraying.
For more information, please visit www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/gypsymoth, or call 1-866-917-5999 toll free.
Contact:
Cheekwan Ho
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests and Range
250 387-8482
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
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