Eradication is no longer an option for more than 20 infested states in the northeast and mid-west where spongy moth has become permanently established.
- Spongy moth is capable of defoliating millions of acres of forest in a single year.
- Since 1977, WSDA has successively prevented the spongy moth from spreading to our state by eradicating isolated populations.
- If spongy moth becomes established, costly quarantines will be imposed on our state's nursery, forestry, and Christmas tree industries.
- If the spongy moth is allowed to spread, the cost of control to our state will increase by many millions of dollars.
- Many states with permanent populations of spongy moth spray 1,000 times more pesticide in a single year to suppress spongy moth than Washington does to eradicate it.
- Forest defoliation from the spongy moth destroys wildlife habitat, increases the risk of wildfire, affects water quality, and can disrupt stream habitat for migrating salmon.
- Spongy moth caterpillars trigger allergic reactions in some people, causing skin welts, rashes, and swelling.