2024 Eradication

WSDA's Pest Program is planning to treat 2,303 acres in Thurston and Skagit counties for spongy moths. The proposal comes after 103 spongy moths were caught in 2023, most of which were in the proposed treatment areas.

Treatments are expected to begin early- to mid-May, depending on the weather and modeling. To receive notice when treatments are scheduled, sign up for email, text, or robocall alerts (above). 

The treatments involve using an airplane to spray Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki - more commonly known as Btk - in the treatment areas. Btk is a soil-based bacteria that is toxic only to caterpillars. It is one of the most commonly used insecticides in organic agriculture and the formulation that WSDA uses - Foray 48B - is approved for use in organic agriculture. It has an excellent safety record around the world for humans, pets, mammals, fish, birds, and bees. Learn more about Btk and human health. 

Click on the images of the maps below to download printable pdf versions of the maps. Please note: while the  map of the treatment area may include areas over water, the treatments themselves are not conducted over water and include a water buffer. 

You can also use the link below to find our interactive, searchable map. In the interactive map, you can enter an address and see if it is in, near, or outside of a proposed treatment area. 

Printable maps

The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review is complete and available for public view. The comment period is closed.

Virtual

If you are unable to attend an open house or informational session, you can interact with materials by visiting the online open house using the button below.

There are multiple options for staying informed about the 2024 spongy moth eradication proposal. 

Text messages and automated phone calls

Sign up to receive text messages or an recorded phone message with project updates and, if the project is approved, treatment updates. Text messages and phone calls will provide real-time alerts such as the start of a treatment, the end of treatment, if a treatment is delayed, etc. 
Please be aware that alerts for the start of treatment may occur as early as 5 a.m.
 

Text keywords to 1-800-443-6684	Thurston County keywords	Skagit County keywords
Text messages	JOIN THURSTONTEXT	JOIN SKAGITTEXT
Phone calls	JOIN THURSTONCALL	JOIN SKAGITCALL

If you have trouble signing up for text messages or phone calls, please contact us at 1-800-443-6684 or email us at pest@agr.wa.gov. Let us know whether you would like to sign up for text messages or phone calls, which location you would like to receive information about (Thurston or Skagit), and what number the messages should be sent to. 

E-mail

Join the spongy moth e-mail list to receive updates about the spongy moth project. By signing up for our email list, you'll receive periodic updates about the project as well as information about planned treatments. However, if you would like near real-time treatment updates, please sign up for text messages of phone calls (above).

Facebook Group

Join the 2024 eradication Facebook group where we will post regular updates about the spongy moth project and also actively answer questions posted by group members. Treatment updates will also be posted to the group.