Duluth’s Lakeside To See Gypsy Moth Aerial Spray Treatment

The efforts to battle the Gypsy Moth in the Northland continue this summer, as City of Duluth and Minnesota Department of Agriculture officials alert the public to an upcoming planned aerial spray in our area.  The spraying is expected to occur on Monday, June 4 and again on a later date - roughly ten days in the future.

According to a release from the city, the spraying is expected to occur early in the morning - at 5:00 AM.  A dose of Btk will be dropped on an affected area- approximately 325 acres, in the Lakeside neighborhood. Btk is an organic biological pesticide that is highly-focused to affect the Gypsy Moth - but not other wildlife or humans.  It works by breaking down the gut of the pest that ingests it.

While considered safe for human beings, Btk can bring out some minimal side effects. The most common side effect is irritation of the skin and eyes.

The spray area lies primarily to the north of Glenwood Street, bordered on the eat by 5nd Avenue east.