Fight on Moths : Spraying in Encino Wins EPA’s OK

A plan to attack the leaf-eating gypsy moth by spraying a chemical pesticide on nine Encino properties has been approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, state agriculture officials said Wednesday.

The ground application of the pesticide Dimilin is part of a two-pronged approach that also includes aerial spraying of a 40-acre area, including the properties in the Encino hills, with natural bacteria, said Gera Curry, spokeswoman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture.

The department earlier this month disclosed the plan of attack against the moths, which kill trees by devouring their leaves.

Nine gypsy moths and four “egg masses” were found last year near the intersection of Skytop and Royal Oak roads in Encino. State agriculture officials have said the infestation is a relatively small one that could become a costly problem if left untreated. Gypsy moths have done extensive damage in the East.

Curry said state officials have talked “at length” with the property owners involved.

‘Very Supportive’

“They are very supportive of what we’re doing,” she said. She said the owners are concerned that their property values will suffer if the moth population takes hold and destroys their trees.

In the ground treatment plan approved this week by the EPA, trees and shrubs on the nine properties encompassing a less than one-square-mile area will by sprayed twice with Dimilin, 14 days apart, Curry said.

Weather permitting, four aerial sprayings of Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly known as “B.t.,” will take place by helicopter two weeks apart, Curry said. The use of “B.t.” against gypsy moths in urban areas in California was approved earlier by the EPA, said John Manning, chief deputy for the Los Angeles County office of the agricultural commissioner for weights and measures.

Timing Contemplated

The ground and aerial spraying is expected to take place late this month or early next month, when the leaf-eating caterpillars hatch, Curry said.

“B.t.” is a bacteria that occurs naturally in soil. It kills caterpillars by attacking their digestive systems. Dimilin is a chemical that affects insect growth, killing them by preventing them from molting.

The state Department of Food and Agriculture will hold an informational meeting about the planned gypsy-moth treatment at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lanai Road Elementary School in Encino, Curry said. Agriculture officials are expected to be accompanied by a toxicologist and a veterinarian to answer questions, Curry said.