Spongy Moth Spraying Today in Glen Oak Hills Park and the South Kenosha Greenway

Image credit: City of Madison

Two locations within District 11, the southern section of Glen Oak Hills Park and the South Kenosha Greenway, are undergoing treatment with a spray to shield the public trees from the spongy moth caterpillar. Certified arborists are applying the spray from the ground up into the tree canopy.

WHY ARE THESE AREAS BEING SPRAYED?
The spongy moth caterpillar defoliates trees. This is not lethal to trees by itself, but it is a stressor for them as they try to regrow them.  All of the energy spent to grow more leaves makes them more prone to disease and pests - especially during dry and drought conditions.  This stacking of stressors can lead to tree loss.

These trees are being sprayed to stop the spongy moth caterpillars from destroying the leaves, and keep the trees safe.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION FLAGS

The pesticide application flags that appeared along the greenway on May 10 when the application began are required by state law.

Even though what is being sprayed is a naturally occurring bacteria for the spongy moth caterpillar, and the spray is happening into the tree canopy, law requires pesticide application notices.

Image credit: City of Madison

The City of Madison West Side Spongy Moth Spraying -2024 website has

 been updated to provide more information about the work being done.