The municipality of Tweed is taking a strong stand against the gypsy moth infestation within its boundaries.
The issue has been raised with Tweed council and Mayor Jo-Anne Albert says citizens have sent hundreds of pictures to her office showing the invasion by the moths.
Albert tells Quinte News her council is reaching out to the provincial government for assistance.
She points out that the province did have a spraying program years ago.
“I know some people don’t like it but right now the trees are decimated and they’re coming back. I have a little red elm in my front yard that is just, I couldn’t believe it. One day it was fine and the next day it was gone.”
In a letter to Tweed council, Terry and Shirley Sutherland noted, “We spend hours a day spraying our trees with a hand-sprayer and a homemade solution, as well as picking the caterpillars by hand and drowning them in soapy water, but there are thousands and thousands of them and we are hardly making a dent.”
Albert added, “I’ve talked a lot with (Quinte West Mayor) Jim Harrison. I’ve got another contact I’m in touch with re: what programs they have. We still have to advocate to the (provincial) ministry because I do believe they need to be part of this solution too.”
“I’ve heard good things about some of the spray programs but we need to get all the ins and outs of what we can and can’t do,” she says.
