ROSCOMMON COUNTY- The Roscommon County Spongy Moth Program encourages residents to destroy spongy moth egg masses before they hatch in May. Every mass contains 100 to 1,000 or more caterpillars, so a bit of effort on the landowner’s part can significantly reduce populations.
Merely scraping eggs onto the ground is not effective, as they can survive temperatures of 20 and 30 below Fahrenheit, and the caterpillars will still hatch. Instead, use a scraper to carefully scrape the egg masses into a container. (Avoid damaging the bark on your trees in the process, as it can leave them susceptible to other pests and disease.) Soak the eggs for two days in soapy water to kill the caterpillars.
For a video of the process, visit youtube.com/watch?v=z5gn-zG9JYw. For more tips on managing spongy moth on your property, visit roscommoncounty.net/224/Landowner-Management.
This year, residents whose property is not currently on the 2023 spray map may request to be added for treatment through their Township office. Cost is $40.71 per acre. A minimum of 40 acres is required if property is not adjacent to existing spray blocks, with no minimum acreage required for properties directly adjacent to existing spray blocks. Parcels enrolled must be sprayed in their entirety. Townships must submit all additional orders to the County by March 10, 2023.
To see if your property is currently scheduled to be treated, view the 2023 Spray Map at roscommoncounty.net/DocumentCenter/View/1606/2023-Spray-Blocks-Map. If interested in being added to the spray map, contact your Township office.
