ANNAPOLIS — To combat the scourge of the gypsy moth the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Forest Pest Management division will be conducting aerial application of insecticides in the tri-county area starting as early as May 3.

When egg masses reach a minimum threshold of 250 per acre that area is considered for treatment. Some populations in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties exceed 10,000 egg masses per acre and MDA expects to spray 7,411 acres — an increase of 6,880 acres compared to last year.

Approximately 1,800 property owners in the treatment areas were notified by mail about the plans and two public meetings were held. Proposed treatment areas are on wooded residential and high-use recreational lands.

“The loss of high value trees especially in residential areas can lead to an increased cost to property owners in the form of tree removal,” MDA noted to members of the Board of Public Works (BPW).

“The loss of trees on a property can lower property values and thus, loss of tax revenues. In forested areas, loss of timber and pulpwood can be significant.”

According to MDA, Forest Pest Management does not own any aircraft and solicited bids from Maryland companies and those from neighboring states.

A bid from Milton, Delaware-based Del Ag Aero LLC for $236,815.14 was the lowest qualified bid opened on March 22 and was approved April 27 by the BPW.

The gypsy moth, scientifically known as Lymantria dispar dispar (Ldd), when it is in its larval stage consumes the leaves of deciduous trees.

In 2021 an estimated 30,000 acres were defoliated on the Lower Shore.

MDA has been conducting aerial suppression since 1982. Forest Pest Management works cooperatively with the U.S. Forest Service which pays 50% of the expense. The state pays 25% and the participating counties cover the remaining 25%.

For the link to see the tentative schedule go here

or to follow it on Twitter for real-time information visit @MDGypsyMoth.