DuPage gypsy moth sprayings to start soon

Gypsy moth season has arrived and the DuPage Forest Preserve District, Naperville and Itasca all have announced spraying cycles in May.

Contractors will be using a biologically derived pesticide called "BTK" that affects the stomachs of the insects but is not toxic to humans or pets. The contractors will make aerial applications of the pesticides in many cases.

The warm spring has prompted caterpillars to emerge from egg masses earlier than usual, officials said.

Gypsy moths are distinctive in all life stages - egg masses are fuzzy tan ovals, caterpillars have blue and red dots with yellow faces and the male moths are small and tan while females cannot fly and are white or cream. The insects in caterpillar form are voracious and eat anything leafy.

Oak Meadows Golf Course in Addison and 15 forest preserves throughout the county will receive treatments beginning today, forest preserve officials said. A second round will take place May 13. If the weather doesn't cooperate, alternate treatment dates for forest preserve sites are Sunday and May 16. Maps and spray schedules for forest preserve properties are available at dupageforest.org under the "District News" tab.

In Naperville, pesticide sprayings will occur from May 10 through May 21 at Heritage Woods Park, Burlington Woods Park, Knoch Knolls Park, Riverwoods Park, Walnut Ridge Woods, Walnut Ridge Park and Bonnema Woods. Trails in the affected parks will be closed during sprayings. Maps of proposed spray areas are available at naperville.il.us/gypsymoth.aspx.

Contractors in Itasca will be spraying the pesticide via helicopter Saturday morning in the southwest portion of the village. A second application will be conducted 10 days later, officials there said. Residents within the spray zone have been notified. For more information about the spray schedule, visit itasca.com.