18,000 Traps Going Up To Stop Gypsy Moths

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – State agriculture officials say 18,000 traps will be set up throughout Minnesota in the coming weeks to help stem the invasion of gypsy moths.

Starting next week, traps will be set up in southern Minnesota, the Department of Agriculture says. The northern part of the state will get traps starting early next month.

The traps are small, triangle-shaped and made of cardboard. They will be placed on poles and trees, and they work by attracting male moths with a pheromone.

Citizens are asked not to disturb the traps. (However, if one wants the trap removed from one's property, they should call 888-545-6684.)

Officials say it's important to maintain a grid of traps in the state to eliminate as many male moths as possible. It's also important to identity hot spot areas of moth activity.

Currently, southeastern and northeastern Minnesota are expected to be hot spots.

Gypsy moths are dangerous to Minnesota's forests, because, in caterpillar form, they are voracious eaters. They love to munch on oak, poplar, birch, and willow, and, in high numbers, are able to completely defoliate trees.

Repeat infestations can kill trees, officials say, especially when the vegetation is stressed by factors such as drought.

Gypsy moths are native to Europe and Asia. They first appeared in America on the East Coast in the late 1800s.

Since then, the moths have made their way ever-eastward. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says it's been fighting the spread of the gluttonous insects for more than 40 years.