Hillcrest Park in Pelham to be Sprayed for Gypsy Moth
With spring arriving and the temperatures conducive to the project, the Town of Pelham will begin a gypsy moth spray program in the area of Hillcrest Park.
The spray program, in response to resident concern a year prior, will begin after May 15, weather depending. BioSim weather modelling will be used to predict the start date timing. A second application will occur seven days later.
Zimmer Air, an agricultural aerial application service provider will use a pesticide called Foray 48B, a naturally-occurring bacillus thuringiensis, or soil-borne bacteria, that is toxic to the gypsy moth. The spray rate is four liters per hectare.
Coordinates are uploaded to the helicopter’s GPS system to ensure minimal overspray outside the designated area.
Prior to spraying, Zimmer Air will notify residents in the area with an informational flyer. Questions or concerns can be phoned in to the company’s toll free number: 1-800-665-5485. Zimmer Air is willing to spray private properties, provided they are attached to the original area. The cost of private spraying is $865 per hectare, which works out to be $0.09 per square meter.
Trail entrances in the area will be closed during the spraying timeframe. Road closures in the area can also be expected.
The Town of Pelham does not conduct or initiate private property rodent/pest programs. If you have questions or need work done to a private property, the Town encourages you to contact a local pest control business.
