Toronto Alert Update: Aerial Pesticide Sprayings of Etobicoke Areas, Some Parks and Golf Courses May 23 & 24, 2013

This video presents “Invasion of gypsy moths”:

  • “Gypsy moth caterpillars have invaded Toronto and it’s eating up city trees”
  • Mark McAllister reported last summer

City of Toronto's image: Caterpillar or larva stage of European Gypsy Moth
City of Toronto’s image: Caterpillar or larva stage of European Gypsy Moth

New Update: Due to weather conditions, the sprays have been postponed until this weekend

This is an update to my previous blog Toronto Alerts: Yonge Subway Closure-May 11 + Road Closures-May 12 + Aerial Pesticide Spraying May 21-Jun.11, 2013.

In order to control the European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) population, Toronto is planning the following two aerial sprays via a helicopter with an ultra low volume spray system, which will fly about 15 to 30 metres above the tree tops during the applications:

  1. The first spray day will take place on Thursday, May 23 between 5 and 7:30 a.m. in the seven Etobicoke spray areas listed below:
  2. The second spray will take place on Friday, May 24 between 5 and 7:30 a.m. in the four spray areas listed below:

Specific spray dates are chosen between 12 and 48 hours in advance, and can be cancelled if weather conditions change:

  • Residents within the affected spray zones are encouraged to check for updates:
  • Local road closures will be in effect during the aerial spray to minimize any potential risks associated with the low flying helicopter

    • Notification signs will be posted along local roads to announce the closures

No special precautions are required for residents in the spray zone:

  • However, if you wish to avoid exposure to Btk, remain indoors during and immediately after the spraying
  • Residents can also cover patio furniture or outdoor playing areas prior to the spraying or hose them off afterward

Here is a map showing the aerial spray program of a naturally occurring bacterium – Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki (Btk) – to be conducted in 11 areas of Toronto including a recently detected area on the Toronto Islands:

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

NEWS RELEASE

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

May 20, 2013

City of Toronto begins to spray to control European Gypsy Moth population

Toronto is currently dealing with an infestation of the European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar). Infestation levels reached a point where manual control methods, such as egg scraping, sticky traps, and ground spraying of pesticides are no longer effective in controlling the Gypsy Moth population.

The City of Toronto is planning two aerial sprays this week to control outbreak populations of the European gypsy moth. The first spray day will take place on Thursday, May 23 between 5 and 7:30 a.m. in the seven Etobicoke spray areas listed below:

Humber Valley Golf Course
Valecrest Road and North Drive
Royal York Road and The Kingsway
Thorncrest Road
Herne Hill
Princess Margaret Boulevard – Kipling Avenue
The Kingsway – Edenbridge Drive

The second spray will take place on Friday, May 24 between 5 and 7:30 a.m. in the four spray areas listed below:

Moore Park
Cherry Beach Park
Toronto Island Park
Tam O’Shanter Golf Course

Spraying is dependent on weather and will only be done in the right conditions. As a result, specific spray dates are chosen between 12 and 48 hours in advance, and can be cancelled if weather conditions change. Residents within the affected spray zones are encouraged to check for updates on the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/trees/gypsy-moth.htm or by calling 311- or 1-855-551-5150 if calling from outside Toronto.

A two-engine helicopter with an ultra low volume spray system will fly about 15 to 30 metres above the tree tops during the application. Local road closures will be in effect during the aerial spray to minimize any potential risks associated with the low flying helicopter. Notification signs will be posted along local roads to announce the closures.

The aerial pesticide spray application will apply Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk) – (Product name: Foray 48B – Biological Insecticide Pest Control Product (PCP) Act Registration Number 24977) to control Gypsy Moth outbreak populations and to help protect trees from dying. This biological insecticide contains naturally occurring bacterium found on dead or decaying matter in the soil. Btk, when used as directed and sprayed by air, is not considered a health risk to humans.

The gypsy moth is a defoliating insect that is considered a major pest in North America. The caterpillar, or larvae stage of the insect, eats the leaves of trees, making the trees more susceptible to disease and damage from other insects or weather related factors.

Btk does not affect adult moths and butterflies, other insects, honeybees, fish, birds or mammals. It kills young caterpillars that are present at the time of spray. Through aerial spraying, Btk will be applied to the foliage of the trees and the caterpillars must feed on the treated leaves for it to be effective.

The health and safety of residents and the health of the environment are top priorities for the City of Toronto. No special precautions are required for residents in the spray zone. However, if you wish to avoid exposure to Btk, remain indoors during and immediately after the spraying. Residents can also cover patio furniture or outdoor playing areas prior to the spraying or hose them off afterward.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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