2021 NOTICE OF AERIAL SPRAYING FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF GYPSY MOTH LARVAE IN SELECTED AREAS OF PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP IN IOSCO COUNTY
Certain selected areas in Plainfield Township in Iosco County are scheduled to receive aerial application of the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (B.t.k.) for the suppression of Gypsy Moth larvae. Maps of these areas are available for viewing at the Plainfield Township Offices in the Eagle Point Plaza in Hale and on our web site at www.plainfieldtwpmi.com open the center drop down menu labeled Our Community Directory/Gypsy Moth . The applicator for the program is Hamilton Helicopters, Inc., PO Box 264, Hamilton, MI 49419, (616) 291-5808. The B.t. brand will be Foray 76B or equivalent supplied by Valent Biosciences Corporation. The spraying will be done by aircraft when the weather conditions are suitable. The exact dates cannot be predetermined as application is weather dependent. Startup is tentatively planned for Monday, May 31, 2021.
The insecticide B.t.k. is derived from a naturally occurring bacteria and is known only to affect the caterpillars by destroying their stomachs after they eat the material. It does not affect honeybees or other non-leaf eating insects, birds, fish or mammals. The B.t. is applied at a quart per acre in a very fine mist that targets the trees. The carrier liquid is water and drying usually takes place within a few minutes. If you do not want your property sprayed in this year’s program, you must contact the Plainfield Township Offices before May 1, 2020 by either direct mail or email with your local address(s) that you are asking to be removed. Even though you may be removed, if your property is located in a densely populated area we cannot guarantee that some overspray from the surrounding properties will not occur. Email- supervisor@plainfieldtwpmi.com direct mail Plainfield Township, PO Box 247, Hale, MI 48739. For questions on the program contact Fred Lewis Plainfield Township Supervisor at 989-728-2811 or 989-984-7073, for technical questions contact Neal Swanson, Consultant at (989) 689-0223.