Why aren’t chemical insecticides being used in the Department’s gypsy moth spray program?
Chemical insecticides may adversely affect beneficial insects, such as honeybees and/or aquatic insects, B.t. however does not. This biological insecticide only affects leaf feeding insects and is considered safe for people and pets. For this reason, the Department strictly uses this material in its Gypsy Moth Spray Program. This materials use has greater acceptance by the public because of this low toxicity toward non-target organisms especially in highly residential areas. It does not provide the same degree of caterpillar reduction as the chemical insecticides, but in more than 70 percent of the cases, satisfactory foliage protection is obtained. This protection is sufficient to prevent tree mortality and thus fulfills the Department’s primary objective. Q: Is there any alternative to spraying? A: The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is recognized as a leader in promoting the use of biological control measures against a variety of agricultural and forest pests. For many years th
