---

The state Department of Agriculture is doing a spray treatment of thousands of acres in North Branch this summer and there’s a public informational meeting for those who may have questions. Tuesday, April 15, the meeting is at the North Branch Area Library, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Department of Agriculture has been monitoring infestations and this summer seven counties are in the plan.  There’s a total of 42 Minnesota locations the aerial treatment is being recommended for— between early to mid-July this summer. 

A couple of methods work to curtail populations of spongy moth and in the case of North Branch the use of a mating disruptor (MD) is being pursued.  This distributes a substance carrying pheremones that deter males from mating.

The other most used method is BtK, a biological insecticide.

There also will be virtual sessions available in April for spongy moth treatment details.  

To see a schedule go to www.MDA.state.mn.us/smtreatments.  

---