Gypsy Moths

Gypsy Moth Treatment 2017

Gypsy Moth treatment map

UPDATED 5-19-2017

  • March 1, 2017 – Public open house held. 18 citizens attended. All questions and/or concerns were addressed
  • March 30, 2017 – Environmental assessment for the project posted publicly. Comments due to either the MDA or USDA by April 29.
  • April 4, 2017  – MDA awarded project aviation to Scott’s Helicopter Service.
  • April 12, 2017 – MDA staff will be presenting project information to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of Commissioners.
  • Week of April 12 – Press release reminding residents about temporary ban on moving tree and wood debris out of quarantine area. This is a temporary quarantine and is expected to be lifted June 15.
  • Week of April 24 – Postcard reminders to be mailed to all residents within and near the proposed treatment block.
  • FIRST APPLICATION May 11, 2017 – 6AM
  • SECOND APPLICATION scheduled for  Monday, May 22, 2017. If weather conditions become unfavorable over the weekend, there is a chance they could delay until Tuesday morning.
    Should take less than 2 hours to apply

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 16, 2017

MDA planning gypsy moth treatment for Richfield/Minneapolis area in 2017

Public information meeting set for March 1

ST. PAUL, Minn. –The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations are planning to tackle a gypsy moth infestation in parts of Richfield and Minneapolis this spring. In anticipation of the treatment, the department is inviting people to learn about the effort at an open house to be held March 1 in Richfield.

Ranked among America’s most destructive tree pests, gypsy moth has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England to Wisconsin in recent decades. Gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. The pests are common in Wisconsin and are now establishing themselves in Minnesota.

The MDA maintains a monitoring program to watch for start-up infestations, and when an infestation is found, the department conducts aerial treatments of the infestation before it can spread. In 2016, the MDA found an infestation in the northwest corner of Richfield. The MDA implemented a quarantine of the area in November. The department is now developing a treatment plan for an affected area that runs from West 61st Street in Minneapolis on the north to West 67th Street in Richfield on the south, and Washburn Avenue South on the west to Logan Avenue South on the east. (SEE MAP) Details of the area can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments.

The MDA will host an open house to share information with citizens about the threat gypsy moths pose to the environment, and how officials plan to protect the urban forest.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017
4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Sheridan Hills Elementary School
6400 Sheridan Avenue S
Richfield, MN 55423

Over the years, the MDA has successfully treated dozens of gypsy moth infestations across eastern Minnesota from Grand Portage to the Twin Cities to Houston County. These successful treatments help postpone the full-scale invasion of gypsy moth, saving local communities and homeowners money and protecting the health of the state’s urban and natural forests.

For more information on the proposed treatments, go to www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments.

MEDIA CONTACT: Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185 / allen.sommerfeld@state.mn.us

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