Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Friday, May 02, 2008
Contact: Julie Taylor 703-228-7744 (voice) 703-228-4743(TTY)
Arlington County to Spray for Gypsy Moths
Spraying to begin as early as Monday, May 5
Arlington County will conduct aerial spraying as early as Monday, May 5 to control a growing infestation of gypsy moths that threatens oak and other trees. The spraying will be conducted by low-flying helicopters over 791 acres, and should take no more than two days.
The exact spray schedule will vary, based on caterpillar development and weather, but typically the spraying begins at sunrise and continues throughout the day.
The County will spray a formulation of B.t., made from naturally occurring bacterium. B.t. does not harm people, pets, wildlife and beneficial insects such as honey bees, but it is best not to come in full contact with the spray.If you see/hear the helicopters, it’s best to go inside until they pass.
Most of spray mist will settle in trees
The spray will come down in a fine mist, and most of it will settle in trees. As a precaution, residents may want to keep children and pets indoors for 30 minutes to an hour after spraying -- until the material dries.
The water-based spray will not harm house paint, car finishes or outdoor furniture. A simple soap and water solution will easily remove the spray from anything you may wish to wash.
Neighborhoods where spraying will occur have been notified twice by mail. To view 
a map of these areas, visit www.arlingtonva.us; search for “gypsy moth.”
“When not controlled, the Gypsy Moth population can build to extremely high levels, and trees over large areas may be stripped of their leaves in the spring,” said Steve Temmermand, Chief of the Parks and Natural Resources Division of Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources. “Arlington County is acting to protect our trees.”
Saving trees 
Gypsy moth caterpillars are leaf-eating insects that attack a wide variety of trees, and are especially attracted to oaks. When not controlled, gypsy moth populations can build to extremely high levels, and trees over large areas may be stripped of their leaves in the spring.
After persisting for many years at very low population levels, gypsy moth caterpillar infestations increased dramatically in Northern Virginia and Maryland last year. This year's plan to spray 791 acres is the first time that Arlington has had to spray since the spring of 2001, when 1,702 acres were treated with the insecticide B.t.
About the insecticide
The insecticide recommended for use, B.t., is made from a naturally occurring bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is commonly found in soils.
It is routinely used by farmers on a variety of leafy vegetables against leaf-eating caterpillars. Only leaf-eating caterpillars that are present at the time of application are susceptible to B.t. It has been the insecticide most commonly used in Arlington's gypsy moth control program since treatments began in 1985.
Spraying is joint effort
The County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources will conduct the spraying in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the U.S. Forest Service. Areas to be sprayed include: Old Glebe; Donaldson Run; Arlingtonwood; Gulf Branch and Bellevue Forest.
For more information
For more information on gypsy moths and Arlington's program, residents may call Julie Taylor at the County’s Gypsy Moth Office at 703-228-7744, or visit the County’s website; search for “gypsy moth.”
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
