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State proposes European gypsy moth treatments in Seattle, Bellevue 

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) announced today it is proposing to treat two locations this spring for the destructive European gypsy moth: a 100-acre site in the Madison area of Seattle, and a 5.5-acre site in the Rosemont neighborhood of Bellevue.

Approximate boundaries of the proposed 100-acre Madison site are: on the west, 21st Ave. E.; on the east, Martin Luther King Jr. Way; on the north, E. Republican St.; and on the south, E. Howell St. The proposed 5.5-acre site in Rosemont is centered on the intersection of 176th Ave. NE and NE 13th St. State entomologists have concluded reproducing populations of the gypsy moth are present at both sites.

WSDA is proposing to treat the two sites with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a biological insecticide used in the past to keep the gypsy moth out of Washington. Btk is registered for use in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is found naturally in the environment. Btk-based insecticides are used by many organic farmers and have a proven safety record with people, pets, birds, livestock, fish, and many other insects such as bees.

WSDA said treatments at the Madison site need to be applied with aircraft due to the size and topography of the site. Treatments at the Rosemont site will be applied with ground equipment. Three to five applications of the insecticide will be conducted at both sites, three to 14 days apart.

Before a decision is reached, WSDA will comply with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). WSDA will consult with other state and federal agencies, and prepare documents that assess the impact of the proposal on the environment. Two documents will be made available for public review and comment -- a SEPA checklist and a NEPA draft environmental assessment.

The gypsy moth is one of the worst forest pest insects ever brought into the U.S. It attacks more than 500 species of trees and shrubs, causing millions of dollars of environmental and economic damage in the U.S. annually. The moth is permanently established in 19 states in the East and upper Midwest.

The gypsy moth has been detected in Washington state every year since 1977, but permanent populations have not been established because of aggressive trapping and eradication programs.

“We’ve kept permanent populations of the moth out of the state for more than 30 years,” said Jim Marra, managing entomologist with WSDA. “We want that record to continue.”

Residents whose properties are in the proposed treatment zone will receive written information from the state Department of Agriculture this month. In addition, open houses will be held in both communities in February to answer questions on the proposed treatments.

Thirty-one gypsy moths were caught at 15 sites statewide this summer. Five moths were caught in Madison area, the third straight year multiple moths were caught in the area. Two moths were caught in Rosemont, and two pupal cases were also detected. A gypsy moth open house was held in Madison in October for residents in the immediate area where moth catches occurred.

For more information on the proposed WSDA treatments, call the agency’s toll-free hotline (1-800-443-6684) or see the WSDA Web site at www.agr.wa.gov and click on “Gypsy Moth.” For more information on the health effects of Btk and other control methods, see the Washington State Department of Health Web site at www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Pest/egm/health-info-egm-control.htm.

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