In October 2007, Council directed staff to hire an independent consultant to assist with Gypsy Moth egg mass surveying and to analyze the data collected. The March 17, 2008 report to the Public Works Committee provides an update on the degree of infestation of Gypsy Moth in the City and provides a program delivery strategy for Council’s approval to mitigate the damage to the urban forest from Gypsy Moth in the areas surveyed and to limit the spread of the infestations to other areas.
Staff prepared a report pertaining to the proposed Gypsy Moth control plan that was received by the Public Works Committee at its March 31, 2008 meeting and was approved with amendments by Hamilton City Council at its April 9, 2008 meeting.
Aerial spraying recommended
Due to the extent of Gypsy Moth infestation in the Hamilton area, aerial spraying of woodlots and parkland will be required. The City of Hamilton's Public Works Department, Hamilton Conservation Authority and the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) will be undertaking an aerial spray application of the biological pesticide Btk over areas of Ancaster, Flamborough, Dundas, Glanbrook and West Hamilton including parts of the Dundas Valley and Cootes Paradise. To be effective on Gypsy Moth larvae, two applications of the aerial spray application must take place in mid-May to early June.
Open Houses
The City of Hamilton’s Public Works Department, Hamilton Conservation Authority and Royal Botanical Gardens held several Public Open Houses to allow members of the public to receive more information on the Gypsy Moth infestation problem in our area, the proposed control plans and what property owners can do to assist in the control of Gypsy Moth.