Highlighted Division Programs Include
Notice of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Treatment
Treatment to control Emerald Ash Borer infestations in publically owned ash trees will be done throughout Bay County between June 6, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Trees will be treated using a direct tree injection of the Arbor-jet product Tree-age. Tree-age contains the active ingredient Emamectin Benzoate. There is no re-entryrestrictions associated with this treatment since the product is injected directly into the individual trees. The applicator will have copies of the label and MSDS available at the treatment site while injecting trees. Application will be done by Kinnucan Tree Experts, of 28877 Nagel Ct, Lake Bluff, Illinois60044. Maps of trees to be treated and labeling for the Tree-age product may be viewed in the Gypsy Moth SuppressionProgram office located on the 5th floor of the Bay County Building,515 Center Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708. Anyquestions should be directed to Alicia Wallace, Coordinator of the Bay CountyGypsy Moth Suppression Program at 989-895-4195 or wallacea@baycounty.net.
 | Stink Bugs
Thebrown marmorated stink bug is harmless but they can be a nuisance. They areclassified as an invasive species in Michigan. MichiganState University scientists say they expect stink bug season to be even worsethis year than it was last year. They also expect them to continue spreadingthroughout the state. Asof September 2017, it has been found in 61 Michigan counties and is wellestablished in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula, |
Pruning Oak Trees:
Oaks trees are some of our favorite trees and are also favorites of gypsy moths. Gypsy moth populations across Bay County remain low so they should not cause problems for the oak trees this summer. Unfortunately a deadly fungus disease called oak wilt is now becoming active along with the tiny picnic beetles that carry the disease from one tree to another. They are attracted to wounds on trees so stop pruning your oak tree now until next fall. For more information on oak wilt click HERE.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week: Flowering Rush
The beautiful flower of flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) may look lovely, but is invasive in Michigan. Flowering rush is an aquatic invasive plant that lives along the edges of lakes, streams and wetlands. It is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 3-5 feet. The pink flower that blooms in June makes it easy to identify at that time. This plant is spreading throughout the Saginaw Bay watershed with the majority of sightings along the Shiawassee and Saginaw Rivers. It is important for invasive species managers and the public to help map the extent of flowering rush through MISIN. Knowing the extent of flowering rush will allow managers and organizations to prepare efficient management plans. For more information please click HERE.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Treatment Program
As you're enjoying the summer trees in full bloom around Bay County know that the staff of the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program have been working hard to save the public trees throughout our community. To protect our trees and horticulture form non-native invasive species that threaten to upset the natural balance in our area. One such non-native invasive species is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) which arrived in Bay County around 2007.
Since the EAB treatment program began five years ago, staff has been able to save and maintain over 3,400 ash trees on public lands. These trees provide not only shade to the areas where they stand but many ecological and economic benefits. They reduce heat in the city saving on summer air conditioning costs; reduce winds in the winter saving on heating costs; produce oxygen, remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air improving our air quality and reduce storm water run-off.
The Gypsy Moth Suppression Program staff have begun measuring and evaluation ash trees in Bay County to determine which trees are likely to survive an EAB attack in order to determine which trees have the best success rate for treatment.
Look for these signs and symptoms on your ash trees as they may be signs of an EAB Infestation: Thinning of upper canopy of the tree; Water Sprouts on trunk and Branches; Cracks in the bark; S-shaped tunnels under the cracks; Wood pecker damage; D-Shaped holes in the Bark. If you suspect that you have Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infesting your ash trees, please contact Alicia Wallace, Program Coordination of the Bay County Gypsy Moth Suppression Program at 989-895-4195 or wallacea@baycounty.net for more information about what you can do.
Websites of Interest
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Check out the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plan Health Inspection Service website
Hungry Pests for more information on various invasive pests and what you can do to prevent their infestation.
Articles of Interest
October is Firewood Awareness Month!
October is Firewood Awareness Month, and the departments are joining with The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to encourage everyone to buy firewood near where they will burn it to prevent starting a new infestation of an invasive insect or disease. If you love fall fun, leave firewood athome. Moving firewood long distances can spread invasive forest pestshidden In or on the wood. Your firewood choices matter and you can help slowthe spread f these tree-killing pests. Buy locally at your destination to prevent thespread of invasive species. Check out the DNR Website for more information on how you can help stop the spread of invasive species through firewood.
- The movement of firewood is the number one way that new non-native invasive insects get to new habitats.
- Gypsy Moth egg masses can survive on the bark of trees or household goods and hatch in new locations.
- Houses destined for Huricane Katrina releaf were delayed due to investation with Gypsy Moth egg masses.
- Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) were introduced into the United States through the movement of wood packing material.
- Emerald Ash Borere (EAB) can live in a cut log for over a year and still expand their population to new areas.
- Asian Longhorn Beetle larva is often transported inside logs from location to location.
- Other bark beetles and larva can be transported through the movement of firewood.
- To find out more about how the EAB and other pests can be moved through your firewood, please watch this VIDEO.
Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
The purpose of the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is to protect Bay County's highly valued trees from the damaging effects of the gypsy moth caterpillar Gypsy moth populations can build to intolerable levels in a short time. When this build up occurs, the caterpillars will defoliate large trees in a few weeks, invade yards and recreational areas, and become a general nuisance to people living in infested areas.
Services offered by the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program include: 
- Monitoring all wooded and residential areas of Bay County for the presence of gypsy moth life stages.
- Conduct suppression/control activities in heavily infested areas of the county. This includes determining where out-break level populations occur, contracting with an aerial applicator and conducting treatment projects in highly infested areas, and evaluation of treatment results.
- Cooperate with the Michigan Department of Agriculture's (MDA) grant program for gypsy moth suppression to ensure maximum reimbursement on treatment and administrative costs. By following MDA guidelines and participating in the grant program, Bay County is able to reduce the cost of the program for Bay County taxpayers.
- Conduct educational programs for schools, property owners, and local civic groups. The program utilizes Bay County Pinconning Park as a staging area for many of these presentations, which include information on the life cycle of the gypsy moth, how it fits into our local ecology, and methods for controlling the gypsy moth.
Gyspy Moth Suppression Program Links of Interest
Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an Asian beetle that moved into the south-east corner of Michigan some time in the early 1990's. It's larvae feed on the cambium or conductive tissue just under the bark of ash trees.
The emerald ash borer(EAB) is a very destructive insect that kill all species of North American ash trees. It is responsible for the death of millions of trees throughout Michigan and it has spread to 13 additional states and 2 Canadian Provinces. First found in the Detroit area of south eastern Michigan in 2002, the EAB were most likely introduced into the USA in wood packing material during the early 1990's. The Bay County Gypsy Moth Suppression Program responded to threat to our local forests by adding the EAB education and monitoring to Gypsy Moth Program Activities.
Beneficial Insects
Many insects and related arthropods perform functions that are directly or indirectly beneficial to humans. They pollinate plants, contribute to the decay of organic matter and the cycling of soil nutrients, and attack other insects and mites that are considered to be pests.
Asian Lady Beetle vs Ladybug
There is no difference. Both are lady bugs but the Asian variety has the habit of moving indoors for the winter in large numbers. This is to make finding a mate easier in the spring.
Lady Bug Larvae Resemble Tiny Alligators
Other Invasive Pests & Plants
Besides the Gypsy Moth and the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), there are many insects and plants that can invade our yards and woodlands. Please check out our information regarding Other Invasive Pests & Plants.
Tree and Garden Articles/Information
Red Squirrel Injury to Spruce Trees in Winter (MSU Extension 01/21/2013)
Pesky red squirrels will feed on spruce buds when other foods become scarce in the winter.
Common Susprects Involved in Winter Landscape Damage (MSU Extenstion 01/04/2013)
Identifying these pesky, winter, landscape pests by the location of the damage they cause.
Season Ending Tasks in the Garden (MSU-Extension 12/07/2012)
Even though the weather is getting colder, there are still many tasks to do in your garden before winter settles into the area. This article can explain what you should be doing now to ensure you have a healthy garden next spring.
Additional Information & Assistance
Bay County Gypsy Moth Suppression Program staff members are available to visit your home or site to check for invasive pests such as gypsy moths, emerald ash borers and other native or non-native invasive pests that may be affecting the health of your trees and shrubs. Please call 989-895-4195 if you have any questions.