The Town of Oakville is taking action to control gypsy moth infestation

This spring, the town will be conducting an aerial spray in select town woodlands with a safe and naturally occurring pesticide to control gypsy moth infestation. Please visit our Gypsy Moth page for more information and a map of spray locations.

Based on population surveys conducted in 2020, Oakville faces extreme levels of gypsy moth infestation in 2021 that could affect 102 hectares (252 acres) of town woodlands, resulting in a significant loss of trees if no action is taken.

Gypsy moth is a non-native insect that is considered a major destructive pest in North America. These insects can be a concern because the larvae (or caterpillar stage) feed voraciously, mostly on the leaves of leafy trees such as oak. If the population is high, they can eat all the leaves on a tree in a short amount of time. While trees can often survive one season of losing leaves, successive years where leaves are lost can cause trees to die and become unsafe.

The aerial spray will use Foray 48B Biological Insecticide Aqueous Suspension, containing active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis, subsp. kurstaki (Btk) strain ABTS-351, (PCP# 24977) under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada).

Research shows that Btk used in aerial spray programs has no negative environmental or human health effects. Btk is a bacteria which occurs naturally in soil. The bacteria is poisonous only to a certain group of insects when ingested during their larvae stage. Btk does not affect adult moths or butterflies or other beneficial insects such as honeybees, pets, birds, fish, or mammals.

If you have questions or concerns related to the health impacts of aerial spraying with Btk, please call the Region of Halton Public Health Department at 905-825-6000.

Public safety and the health of our environment are top priorities at the Town of Oakville. We understand there might be some inconvenience on the mornings the aerial spray takes place and we appreciate your patience and cooperation. You can find more information on our Gypsy Moth page.

For any further questions please contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or toll-free at 1-877-625-8455 or service@oakville.ca.