|
Buggin' Out!
Freeholders Discuss Gypsy Moth Spraying Options
By Bill McLaughlin
Former Jackson elected official Mike Kafton urged the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders to do something about the multi-year reign of terror by the gypsy moth caterpillars afflicting his town and throughout the county.
The moths feed mainly on hardwood trees, such as oak, elm, maple and birch. When food gets scarce, however, the caterpillar will feed less discriminatorily.
In an effort to cut costs, Kafton said Jackson's Township Council chose to eliminate the budget line item for gypsy moth spraying two years ago. He claims the governing body and township administration's decision came much to the chagrin of local homeowners who saw infestations of Biblical proportions last summer with thousands of trees targeted. The insects also dotted yards and swimming pools, seriously negatively impacting residents' quality of life, he said.
"So many residents could not open or use their pools, or have parties outside," Kafton said. "It destroys the environment, lowers property values and affects us more than you can imagine … and it's going to get worse this year."
According to the state's 2007 gypsy
moth survey, there are about 50,000 acres - mostly in the three towns of Jackson, Manchester
and Lacey - which are considered affected areas.
Kafton implored county freeholders to provide funds for spraying as a regional supplement to the already planned state spraying program.
The larvae usually begin to emerge in early spring and then start feeding by May, according to plant experts. Many trees can survive a single defoliation by the gypsy moth, but repeated attacks can kill or weaken a tree, or leave it completely vulnerable to other insects or disease.
It usually takes two separate sprayings to cull the herd, so to speak. Some other issues associated with spraying include the small window of opportunity to maximize the spraying's effectiveness, as well as the escalating costs.
After reviewing costs of $40 per acre for a fixed wing aircraft and "significantly more expensive" helicopter use, the freeholders decided to restrict spraying to the three hardest hit communities last summer: Jackson, Manchester and Lacey townships.
Last year's infestation provided an eduthe cation for homeowners and government officials alike.
Freeholder John Bartlett said the state
spraying program with two applications "cuts down (on gypsy moth infestation), but
doesn't eradicate them." In addition, the sprayings have to be coordinated with the weather forecast because rainfall immediately before or after might negate the activity.
Alan Avery, the county administrator, said he contacted the county Shade Tree Commission for help in reducing the damage the gypsy moths caused last year, especially in Jackson and Manchester.
"We explored our options," Avery recently told the freeholders at their pre-board meeting March 12. "It wasn't as easy as one would expect. It must be done at a certain time."
Complicating matters is the availability of aircraft sufficiently equipped to handle the job, either a helicopter or fixed wing airplane with crop dusting capability. Since there is a lot of competition for these aircraft, Avery said, "We have to be a little flexible on this."
The time frame for spraying is roughly May 1 to June 1, which is also the time both state and municipal mosquito commissions, municipalities and private farms tend to also simultaneously spray, said Avery.
The county is not capable of doing its own applications because no county staff member is currently state-certified in forestry pest control to spray BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), the chemical used to exterminate the pest.
Complications with spraying also rise regarding unintended targets of the spraying. Notification must be given to all schools so that no children are outside when spraying is taking place. The county must also close all parks within the spray area.
Paying between $20,000 and $45,000 per application requires the money be wisely spent, said Avery. He further noted that some areas sprayed last year didn't even have significant infestation.
Freeholder John Kelly said he contacted the county Mosquito Commission for assistance.
"The Mosquito Commission has the desire, but not the expertise to help," Kelly said. "Their job is focused on eradicating the mosquito."
So far, the county has been unable to book airplanes to ensure a second application of the spray. Since the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) won't allow certain pesticides, options are limited. Bartlett suggested landbased spraying of trees in Ocean County Park, in Lakewood and Patriot Park in Jackson.
| 
