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The end of a natural cycle and an aggressive spray program have combined to limit threat of tussock moth in Kamloops residential areas.
Lorraine Maclauchlan, regional entomologist for the B.C. Forest Service, said staff have collected and compiled survey results around the region showing new threats outside the city.
Tussock moth is a natural pest that defoliates fir trees in the dry Interior valleys. It occurs in cycles and recently peaked in several hot spots, including Barnhartvale and Heffley Creek. In its caterpillar stage the insects can completely strip a tree of needles in two weeks, resulting in death.
The Ministry of Forests, together with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and City of Kamloops, mounted a spray campaign in a bid to retain fir trees. The effort came in the wake of the loss of 90 per cent of mature pine trees from mountain pine beetle.
“The highest populations we’re finding with tussock month are a bit farther a field: Ashcroft, Barnes Lake, Spences Bridge, closing in on Barriere,” Maclauchlan said.
Ministry staff looked at over 2,800 locations in the Interior for the tussock moth survey. Of the 334 locations in Kamloops, none turned up with a high count of egg masses, although Maclauchlan cautioned there will be spots next summer that weren’t seen during surveys.
“There are still populations out there. Hopefully with the City and TNRD we can have public meetings and get input from people where on private land they have populations.”
Maclauchlan said she hopes a spray program, using a combination of a natural virus and bacterium, can be used in the region next year. Budgets, however, are not set.
First of all, let me say that my comments are not an attack on Lorraine as a person and that I respect the expertise she must have in her field. But I have a few observations as a non-specialist...
I live in an area that has been heavily affected by the Tussock moth, both in the past and again in recent years.
My issue is with the message Lorraine is broadcasting. It's misleeding to the public.
In the article it appears there was a joined effort from the City of Kamloops, TNRD and the Ministry of Forests. During last years Public Meeting, it was however made clear that the City and TNRD did not have any funding available for a program. Both provided the Ministry with only a handful of dollars. But the Ministry also didn't have sufficient funding. As a result, only a fraction of the sprayings were done of what was actually needed to make a difference. Also the affect of the performed sprayings was poor, due to the choice for a virus with a low killrate, as well as simply underestimating the populations of bugs.
The situation is also pictured as 'under control' on every occasion. Well, from what I can see around me, that's not the case. Government has handled this pest exactly as they did with the Pine Beetle: too little, too late.
Things got out of control in certain areas and many, many more trees have been destroyed. The big difference with this Tussock Moth outbreak is that government actually could have made a difference. The products -with proven results- to stop this outbreak are available, unlike with the Pine Beetle at the time.
Please everyone, don't be fooled about having input through the upcoming Public Meetings. Last year, a plan was made up prior to that meeting, and absolutely nothing changed. Many people from Barnhartvale raised their serious concerns, in writing, on provided lists. Eventually, the only area in Barnhartvale that was sprayed, was around the dump. Have you seen the area? Dead pine all around, hardly any fir to save... Other areas -bushy with old fir, heavily infested- specifically indicated by the public, were simply ignored. It's just a shame.
Now, as a homeowner I can appreciate that I have to cover any expenses regarding my efforts to protect the trees on my property. I am not looking to goverment to cover that for me. But if the infestation is migrating into my trees from surrounding Crown Land and nothing serious is done about that area by government, I find government a bad neighbor to say the least. Let alone their efforts to make everyone believe the contrary. To date I have spent over $5,000 to deal with this outbreak, and I predict it's not over yet.
Because here's the kicker: we're also dealing with the Spruce Budworm. Not a word in this article, but have you seen all the little moths around the house during this summer?
And the City of Kamloops? In all their wisdom, those people in City Hall have decided to put a bylaw on pesticide use in place. Basically this bylaw means you will now have no choice but to hire a professional (that charges insane amounts), or become one yourself in order to get your trees sprayed with a product that actually works. This is the 'help' homeowner get from City Hall. I am not impressed. I don't ask any form of support from the City to deal with this pest, but to make my efforts dramatically more difficult is just outrageous.
Oh, just so you know, the 'professionals' you can hire -there is only one company with a sprayer that can reach sufficient height for your trees-, are worse than us amateurs. They break every safety rule there is and have a huge complaints file with the Ministry of Environment.
Again, government not taking effective action, is one thing. But don't try to fool the public. You did a bad job and you know it! And that I have to deal with these pests myself on my own property is acceptable to me, but don't make things impossible on homeowners with a bylaw that seems to just be there to benefit commercial outfits with a known bad track record for safety.
Homeowners, it is possible to stop the Tussock Moth! Don't listen to the stories your government is trying to make you believe, because you will simply lose your trees if it's up to them. Go talk to the people on Pratt Road first. They'll tell you the true story behind this article!
Posted on December 2, 2009 @ 6:09 pm PST | Report post to Editor | 2978653