13,000 acres to be sprayed in war against gypsy moths
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - New Jersey officials have notified Jackson that the state will only be able to provide a single application of a product that will combat an anticipated gypsy moth infestation this spring.

Joe Zoltowski of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture informed municipal officials that because there are almost 200,000 acres that need to be sprayed in the Garden State this year, a double application of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) will not be possible.

It is expected that spraying in southern New Jersey will begin May 1.

Approximately 13,000 acres in Jackson have been identified for the aerial spraying. At a cost of $39.44 per acre, that should cost the township about $513,000 this year.

According to a Department of Agriculture fact sheet, Btk is among the least toxic insecticides for use in residential areas to control the gypsy moth population. Its active ingredient is a bacterium that occurs naturally in the environment. Btk has a high specific mode of action in controlling caterpillars and has shown no toxicity to mammals, fish of other wildlife at the recommended field rates, according to the fact sheet.

Individuals who want a near-zero exposure to themselves or their children during the spray operation should stay indoors for at least 10 to 20 minutes or use an umbrella to intercept the fine spray mist outdoors when the aircraft passes over Jackson.

Btk will be applied at a dose of 64 ounces per acre by aircraft.

Btk has a residual life of less than 10 days and has little or no impact on nontarget organisms, according to the information provided. Its residues do not present a hazard and sprays can be applied near water or over garden crops without causing adverse effects.

In a discussion of the matter, Mayor Mark Seda said Zoltowski keeps blaming Jackson officials for not participating in the 2007 aerial spraying program for the damage caused in the township by gypsy moths.

"But if you look at the statistical data which is factual at this point, we sprayed in 2005 and the egg masses doubled," he said. "We sprayed in 2006 and the egg masses doubled. We didn't spray in 2007 and the egg masses doubled. If you look at the surrounding towns that sprayed, their egg masses doubled [also]. To say that we didn't spray last year and this year we have more of a problem, that's a complete misnomer. Towns had the same problem as we did here in Jackson."

Seda said Jackson will have equipment to take care of the township for gypsy moths and for mosquito control for summer events. He said he is looking to put a plan in place where residents who notice they have a problem can call the township and be placed on a list. Once they are on the list, someone will get out to them in a timely fashion and will spray their property, he said. "In addition to that, I will be

looking for vendors who are

state certified for pesticides

and I will post their

names [on the township Web site] and residents

can choose whomever

they want. [Residents]

will be able to pay for that

application directly," Seda said.

At the Feb. 11 meeting, council Vice President Jason Gudaitis said the state is only capable of spraying a single application of the chemical.

"In my opinion the program that the state sponsors is a complete failure," he said. "The numbers bear it out themselves. Other towns have sprayed double throughout the years and the numbers (of gypsy moths) increased. To me it's clear that program does not work. The state did not live up to its deal. It has failed the residents of the state and the residents of Jackson."

Councilman Scott Martin said municipal officials should consider trying to hire a vendor to do the second application that the state has said it cannot complete. He said he favors using a combination of Btk and Dimilin to go after the invading insects.

"I have serious concerns about blowing $500,000 away," Martin said. "It's worth looking into."

Resident John Jaskill said it is a tough decision and he was opposed to spraying with Bt or Dimilin. He gave a list of reasons for not spraying anywhere in the township.

The council voted 4-0 to authorize the state gypsy moth suppression program in Jackson. Councilwoman Emily Ingram was not present at the meeting.

A second resolution supporting New Jersey Assembly resolution A-89 urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand financial support for New Jersey's gypsy moth suppression program was also approved by the council with a 4-0 vote.