Gypsy Moth Suppression Program

The Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is millage funded and provides for the identification, suppression, public education, and monitoring of the Gypsy Moth and other non-native invasive species that cause economic damage and reduce the quality of life in Bay County. 

What is a Gypsy Moth? 

Introduced into the United States from Europe in 1869,the Gypsy Moth is an invasive non-native insect with larvae that feed on many North American trees and plants. Gypsy Moth caterpillars prefer oaks and aspen, but are known to feast on more than 300 species of tree and shrubs. The caterpillars have insatiable appetites and can defoliate trees causing them to be vulnerable to diseases and other pests which can eventually kill the tree. Since their introduction into the United States, the Gypsy Moth has spread throughout the eastern seaboard, south into Georgia and west into Wisconsin and Missouri. The Gypsy Moth Suppression Staff work to monitor and treat for this damaging invasive pest in order to protect our valuable trees throughout Bay County.

Fall and Winter Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Monitoring (September to January)

The Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is gearing up to conduct their fall and winter Gypsy Moth egg mass monitoring starting in October 2020 and continuing through January 2021. This monitoring will help determine the areas that will require spring treatment in 2021. Gypsy Moth monitoring done throughout this past spring and summer have shown that there are a few areas in Bay County where gypsy moth populations are still on the rise. Check out our detailed Heat Map which shows areas where higher numbers of gypsy moth egg masses were found during the last fall monitoring. Areas with more than 300 egg masses per acre were scheduled for treatment in spring of 2020 where allowed.