Gypsy moth treatments planned in Cook, Will, Kendall counties

The Illinois Department of Agriculture says it plans to start applying an insecticide in nine northern counties as part of its gypsy moth treatment efforts.

The department says that starting Friday it will use the safe and environmentally friendly insecticide BTK. The two largest areas are in Cook and Stephenson counties, nearly 1,900 acres in southern Cook County and nearly 700 acres in Stephenson County.

Other counties include Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Will and Winnebago.

Two applications of BTK will be made about one week apart. Other areas in northern Illinois will be treated with a pheromone in late June.

State officials say gypsy moths eat foliage and can strip plants bare.