York County Gypsy Moth Suppression Program

In 2007, York County residents reported high numbers of gypsy moth caterpillars with severe defoliation of trees in some areas.  The County of York elected to participate in the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources.  During June and July of 2007 residents submitted their names for property assessment, which was carried out in August and September.   Those residents whose properties met the criteria of the state program were placed in spray blocks.  Spraying will take place in late April or early May of 2008.

Contact Information: Diane J. Oleson, Coordinator

UPDATED: May 12, 2008

The gypsy moth suppression spraying in York county began Monday, May 5 and was completed on Sunday, May 11, 2008. Spraying is expected continue in other counties throughout the state until around Memorial Day.

An application form for assessment for 2009 will be posted on this website in late May. A decision on participation in the 2009 suppression program will depend on the extent and severity of the problem this summer.

Commonsense Precautions During Spray Operations (PDF)

**Public Notice of Spray Program: (added 3/13/08)

**Objectors Notification Options: The objector form is available for download with this link. Please contact Diane Oleson by telephone or email before mailing the completed form. Thank You.   (added 3/13/08)

Gypsy Moth Life Cycle Images

Program Criteria
This is a forested residential program. In order to be considered for inclusion in the program, the following criteria must be met:

1. A minimum count of 250 gypsy moth egg masses per acre or significant danger of blow-in.
2. 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 .
3. 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.
4. 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. 
5. 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.

2008 Spray Program Update
 The 2008 Gypsy Moth Suppression Spray Blocks have been approved for York County.   A total  of 6650 acres in 24 municipalities and portions of  Rocky Ridge and Spring Valley Parks are slated for spraying.  Notification of those individuals that contacted the Coordinator at Penn State Cooperative Extension of York is underway.  A formal notification of the impending spray program will appear in the legal section of the newspapers in early March.  Municipalities that contain spray blocks are: The townships of Carroll, Chanceford, Conewago, Dover, East Manchester,       Fairview, Franklin, Heidelburg, Hellam, Jackson, Lower Chanceford, Lower Windsor, Manheim, Newberry, North Codorus, North Hopewell, Paradise, Penn, Springettsbury, Springfield, Warrington, Washington, and West Manheim; New Salem Boro, Rocky Ridge and Spring Valley Parks

Gypsy Moth Links

These sites have information about Gypsy Moth biology, the Pennsylvania suppression program, and control options.  If you need additional information, call us at (717) 840-7408.

Penn State Fact Gypsy Moth Sheet  http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/gypsymoth.htm

Pennsylvania DCNR Gypsy Moth  What Is It? http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/gypsymoth/index.aspx

Pennsylvania DCNR What Can I Do  About Gypsy Moth On My Property? http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/gypsymoth/gm_whatcanido.aspx

Pennsylvania DCNR Gypsy Moth Management  http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/gypsymoth/gypsymoth_mgmt.aspx

Pennsylvania DCNR Gypsy Moth County Coordinator Information   http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/gypsymoth/coordinators.aspx

National Forest Service Gypsy Moth Site http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/morgantown/4557/gmoth/

Controlling Gypsy Moth With Bt Fact Sheet http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2174.html

The Homeowner and the Gypsy Moth: Guidelines for Control http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/gm/online_info/gm/gmhb.htm#Hosts

Selecting a Pesticide for Gypsy Moth 
http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Gypsy-Moths-Selecting-a-Pesticide-for-Gypsy-Moth-Control-P488C0.aspx

Links to PDF files

Public Notice of York County Spray Program

Objectors to Spray Program Form (please contact Diane Oleson before mailing in this form.)

Homeowner Options For Gypsy Moth Control

Bt information bulletin

Gypsy Moth Life Cycle Images

Female adult and egg mass M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International,www.forestryimages.org	Gypsy moth caterpillar Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Archive, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, www.bugwood.org

Gypsy moth pupae Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, www.bugwood.org	Adult male (brown) and female (white) moths H. Ghent, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org