News release – from the City of Barrie

with files from Barrie 360 – Ian MacLennan

The City of Barrie is offering free burlap kits for residents to help combat the Spongy (LDD) Moth. These invasive species feed on tree leaves, destroying tree growth and taking away a trees ability to produce new leaves.

Placing a burlap sack around the tree trunk from June to mid-July provides a resting place for caterpillars, which can then be removed to prevent them from morphing into cocoons. Residents can pick up a free burlap kit at the following locations (while supplies last):

Kevin Rankin, Barrie’s manager of forestry and parks operations, they are not expecting as harsh a caterpillar season as last year.

“Based on the surveys completed last year on egg masses, about a 90 per cent decline in the population through most of Barrie,” he says.

However, there will be hot spots, according to Rankin. He says these include north sections of the city such as Sunnidale Park, Barwick Park and Hogans Woods.

Rankin says outbreaks are cyclical.

“About every seven to 10 years there is a spike in the caterpillar population that lasts anywhere from two to three years,” he explains.

What happens, he says, is fungus and viruses grow and the population of these insects eventually declines and collapses.

More ways to help prevent the Spongy (LDD) Moth spread

The City will be implementing several management options for the Spongy (LDD) Moth and encourages residents to join in. These activities include:

For more information and steps to help fight Spongy (LDD) Moths, visit ‘Pests & Diseases’ at barrie.ca/UrbanForestry.

Tags: burlap kits, City Of Barrie, Spongy Moth