Parts of Hamilton to be sprayed to battle gypsy moth infestation

The city has finalized plans for aerial spraying to address a gypsy moth infestation in parts of Hamilton.

City council has approved a single-source contract, within the allotted budget of $2.5 million, to spray a bio-pesticide over 2,000 hectares in West Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas and Flamborough.

The organic product, which the city stresses will have no health impact on humans or animals, will also be sprayed over 800 hectares of Hamilton Conservation Authority property.

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson says the contract with Zimmer Air Services will save money as it will allow Hamilton to enter into group buying with other municipalities.

The spraying is expected to begin in late May or early June.

The gypsy moth is an invasive pest that was introduced accidentally to North America from Europe in 1869.  If the larvae population is too high, they will defoliate entire tree canopies and forests in a short amount of time.