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State will spray for moths in Ashland By JOHN DARLING ASHLAND � Residents may get a noisy wake-up call before dawn April 24 when helicopters spray for gypsy moths in neighborhoods south of Southern Oregon University. The Oregon Department of Agriculture will spray a 160-acre area bounded by Indiana, Madrone and Glenwood streets again on May 7 and 17 after ground spraying last spring failed to wipe out the moths. Other streets in the target zone include Prospect, Elkader, Roca, Pinecrest, Timberline, Palmer, Sunrise, Woodland, Weisserback, Ponderosa, Emma, Leonard and Penny. The pesticide, called Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki), is harmful only to caterpillars of butterflies and moths, said Kathleen Johnson, ODA Plant Pest and Disease Programs supervisor. It is not harmful to any fish, birds or mammals, including most humans; however, ODA recommends people stay indoors for 30 minutes after spraying and that those with immune disorders leave the area during spraying. Residents should not touch grass or shrubs until the spray has dried and should hose off all playground equipment or lawn chairs, Johnson said. Those exposed to the spray should wash the area for 15 minutes. Four gypsy moths were found in the area in 1999. Btk was sprayed on 10 acres last spring, but six more moths were trapped last summer, leading to the decision to spray a much wider area. The spray has been used in many Oregon cities, including Ashland, Jacksonville and Cave Junction, ODA said. It suppresses caterpillars� appetites, slows movements and causes death within days. Helicopter spraying will start a half-hour before sunrise, but if weather causes delays, the information will be broadcast on radio and television. The gypsy moth was introduced to the United States in 1869 as a silk producer but has since spread across the country, killing whole forests in its caterpillar stage by devouring leaves. ODA invited public comment through last month and has posted its environmental assessment at [email protected]. Concerns about Btk may be answered at Oregon Poison Center, (800) 452-7165, or the National Telecommunications Network at Oregon State University, (800) 858-7378. On the Web: Information on possible allergic reactions to Btk: http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/eoe/pest/btkfacts.htm Information on Btk: http://nptn.orst.edu http://nptn.orst.edu/nptnfact.htm Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.