Two aerial sprays planned to combat European Gypsy Moth

TORONTO – City officials are planning two aerial sprays in the coming days to deal with an infestation of the European Gypsy Moth.

According to the city of Toronto, egg scraping, sticky traps and ground spraying of pesticides have become ineffective in controlling the city’s Gypsy Moth population.

The city is ramping up efforts to control the moth by conducting two aerial sprays in Etobicoke, along the lake front and in north Toronto.

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Aerial sprays will begin on Thursday morning between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. in seven Etobicoke areas including Humber Valley Golf Course, Valecrest Road and North Drive, Royal York Road and the Kingsway, Thorncrest Road, Herne Hill, Princess Margaret Boulevard, Kipling Avenue and The Kingsway and Edenbridge Drive.

The second spray will take place on Friday morning at Moore Park, Cherry Beach Park, Toronto Island Park and Tam O’Shanter Golf course.

The aerial sprays are subject to weather conditions and could change.

A low-flying helicopter will disperse the pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk) from approximately 15 to 30 metres above the tree line in each area.

The pesticide is not considered dangerous to humans, the city of Toronto said in its press release.

Health Canada also suggests the pesticide is not dangerous to humans.