Gypsy Moth Infestation Reported

Every year the Township receives numerous inquiries regarding Gypsy Moth infestation. There are numerous resources available to help provide information and possibly services to areas affected with Gypsy Moths. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has a spraying program for areas where the residents have agreed to spraying and meet certain criteria, including 100% resident participation (basically signing the petition), a certain level of infestation (egg masses per acre) and at least 50 acres in size.

One negative to Ohio Department of Agriculture's program is that the state will fund only one-half of the cost of spraying; residents are expected to pay for the other half which often dissuades property owners from signing petitions. The Township Trustees believe that our trees are a valued commodity in Sylvania. To make sure that the expense of the resident portion of the Ohio Department of Agriculture's program does not discourage neighbors from participating in the program, the trustees have directed our township administrator to draft a policy that if a given neighborhood or area of the Township meets the criteria of the Ohio Department of Agriculture's spraying policy and in fact are scheduled to be sprayed, the Township will pay the residents portion of the spraying.

For 2009, there is only one area in the Township/City that is infected heavily enough to warrant spraying. Three other areas were reviewed and deemed to have insufficient infestation including one area where a naturally-growing fungus has counteracted the Gypsy Moths. Areas of concern will continue to be monitored by the Department of Agriculture so that any threat can be minimized and we can continue to enjoy the shade, beauty and landscaping that our trees provide