Spongy moth treatment planned for two counties in southern West Virginia

MCDOWELL COUNTY, WV (WVNS) — Almost 7,000 acres in McDowell and Mingo Counties will be treated to slow the spread of the spongy moth.

6,960 acres in McDowell and Mingo Counties will be treated by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the US Forest Service (USFS). The treatment will help slow the spread of the spongy moth, which was previously known as the gypsy moth.

The treatment area will be at the McDowell/Mingo County line about 3.5 miles south of the town of Gilbert and continuing southeast towards the town of Iaeger, with Longpole Creek being around the center of the area.

The week of June 10, 2024 is the planned date for the treatment, which will be done by a national program between individual states and the USFS known as the Slow the Spread Project.

A mating disruptor referred to as SPLAT (Specialized Pheromone and Lure Technology) will be spread by aircraft. SPLAT is an organic non-toxic biodegradable formulation with the consistency of hand cream. The product is made specifically for spongy moths, and is composed of food-grade materials that do not affect the environment, or other insects and mammals.

More information about the Spongy Moth Slow the Spread program can be found by contacting Program Coordinator Andy Stotts or WVDA Plant Industries Director Timothy Brown at 304-558-2212.

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