Saturday, August 2, 2025
66.4 F
Beckley
More

    State urges landowners to sign-up for moth suppression program

    The W.Va. Department of Agriculture is urging landowners in the Mountain State to sign up for its cooperative Gypsy Moth suppression program to help slow the spread of the invasive gypsy moth.

    Advertisement

    The sign-up period will run from July 1 until August 31, according to Kent Leonhardt, Commissioner of Agriculture, who said invasive pests are becoming worse annually.

    “Every year our state deals with more and more invasive pests who bring potential devastation to our forests and farmlands," Leonhardt said.

    "The arrival of these pests is almost inevitable, but programs like gypsy moth suppression limit the impact these pests have on some of West Virginia’s most valuable resources.”

    Advertisement

    Once applications and deposits are received, a forest-health protection specialist will visit the landowner’s property to determine if the level of gypsy moth infestation meets program guidelines, he said.

    A final decision to participate in the program must be confirmed by signing a contract with the WVDA by early December 2019.

    The minimum acreage required to participate in the program is 50 contiguous acres of wooded land, and adjoining landowners may combine their properties to meet the acreage requirement.

    WVDA Plant Industries Director Tim Brown said the moths can weaken a tree's defenses.

    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement

    “Defoliation by gypsy moth caterpillars can weaken trees, making them more susceptible to other pests and diseases,” Brown said.

    “We have seen some great success in slowing the spread of gypsy moth here in West Virginia.”

    The Cooperative State-County-Landowner (CSCL) Gypsy Moth Program will accept gypsy moth egg mass survey applications from landowners within the program area starting July 1. Application forms and brochures are available .

    For more information, contact WVDA Assistant Director Quentin “Butch” Sayers at qsayers@wvda.us or WVDA Gypsy Moth Program Coordinator G. Scott Hoffman at ghoffman@wvda.us 304-788-1066.

    Advertisement

    The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal, and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory, and consumer protection programs.


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
    Will Reedy
    Will Reedyhttp://wvexplorer.com
    A consummate outdoorsman, Will Reedy has been hunting and fishing West Virginia since he was first able to wield rod and gun. He has been an outdoors writer for West Virginia Explorer since 2001.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

    WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly...

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...

    Wild and Wonderful: A journey through West Virginia’s most beautiful places

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There's a reason West Virginia is...

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in...

    Topics

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories