Homeowners across Mass. worried about influx of gypsy moths

BOSTON — An invasion of gypsy moths in some parts of the state has homeowners worried about their trees and yards.

State environmental officials told FOX25 the infestation is worse than previous years, and that residents from Uxbridge to Cape Cod are reporting trees stripped to their branches.

"The trees really need that flush of early foliage to stay healthy so they have to push out another flush of growth, which takes a lot of energy out of the tree," said DCR Director of Forest Health Kenneth Gooch.

Whitinsville landscaper Steve Isabelle said his clients began calling him in a panic a few weeks ago as they watched a sea of gypsy moth larvae hatch in their plants.

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"On a scale of 1-10, I would give it a 10," Isabelle told FOX25. "Whatever they can eat, they are eating."
State officials said it is too late to contain the infestation, and that most homeowners will have to wait until next spring to spray with biological controls to prevent another outbreak.

Gooch said DCR has seen some signs of hope from a fungus called entomophaga maimaiga, which kills gypsy moth eggs.

"We've actually started to see it more than we did last year," Gooch said. "That is the primary thing that keeps gypsy moths in check in our area."

Cox Media Group