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Home My WebLink AboutV. COW Agenda Item Gypsy Moth Update Mount Prospect Mount Prospect Public Works Department INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: VILLAGE MANAGER MICHAEL E. JANONIS FROM: FORESTRY/GROUNDS SUPERINTENDENT DATE: MARCH 17,2010 SUBJECT: GYPSY MOTH UPDA TE/RECOMMENDA TIONS The Forestry/Grounds Division has been monitoring Gypsy Moth in the Village since 2008 when the first gypsy moth larvae were found. As a result of the initial find, we have been conducting trapping and egg mass surveys to determine the extent of the infestation. Surveying results from 2008 and early 2009 resulted in the Village hiring a contractor to remove egg masses from 177 trees and spray 106 trees on both public and private property in 2009. At the March 23, 2010 Committee of the Whole meeting, we propose to report on the results of trapping performed in summer 2009 as well as our recently completed 2009-2010 winter egg mass survey. We will also be seeking Village Board opinions on treatment options for 2010. Finds/Trappin2 in Summer of 2009 Last summer Gypsy Moth larvae were found at numerous sites throughout the Village on both public and private property. All larvae that were found were treated by our contractor. Follow up inspections showed that good control was obtained from this method. In order to continue monitoring populations, pheromone traps were used once again for detection in summer 2009. Traps were distributed throughout the Village, with 20 of the original 25 trapping sites from 2008 being used again in 2009. The traps were checked two times during the male moth flight season and counts were made. Unfortunately, once again adult Gypsy Moths were found Village- wide. Trapping results yielded considerably higher numbers than in the previous year. When comparing the 20 traps that were placed in the same location for two consecutive years, male moth populations showed a 50% increase the second year (See Attachment A). Winter 2009-2010 E22 Mass Survey To further determine if the number of moths found in the traps warranted treatment, an egg mass survey was done in December of 2009 and January 2010 by in-house personnel and staff members of the Morton Arboretum. To start the surveying, the 2009 find locations were used as starting points and public trees were inspected. Once the initial survey was complete, the sites that resulted in egg mass finds were expanded to a 250' radius, which then included private property. During this survey, Gypsy Moth egg masses were found on 382 different trees on both public and private trees. The locations of the finds are spread out, but the heaviest infestations appear to be concentrated in three areas, Forestry Sections 8, 10, and 11 (See Attachment B). H:\Forestry\ WORD\20 1 O\MEMO-GM-BRD-UPDA TE 3-23-1 O.doc Treatment Recommendations for 2010 Reports from many northeast Illinois municipal foresters and entomologists indicated that Gypsy Moth levels generally decreased in 2009. However, within the Village of Mount Prospect, our numbers have increased in the past year. This could be because our infestation is still relatively new and population levels have not reached a high enough level for populations to crash on their own, which is a cycle that is typical of older infestations. After reviewing the results of our most recent trapping and egg mass surveys, we still do not believe that a large scale aerial spraying will be warranted for 2010. We believe that because the finds are spread out and we have not yet experienced extensive defoliation, it will be more cost-effective to remove egg masses and spot treat infested trees as they are found. We are proposing that once again in 20 I 0 any infested tree, parkway or private, be treated by a contractor hired by the Village, at Village expense. By implementing techniques commonly referred to as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Village arborists will monitor for hatching of egg masses in order to treat at the most effective time. By doing this we will be able to minimize pesticide use and apply the least toxic product. Treatments can be made by removing egg masses or spraying them with a soybean oil prior to hatch, or by spraying the insect in the larval stage until the point when larvae are no longer feeding. We expect that by combining treatment methods, we will get the most effective control. Because egg masses can be hard to find, especially in large trees, additional insecticide treatments may be needed after larvae emerge. Spray treatments are most effective when larvae first hatch. At this time, a biologically friendly product called Dipel, which targets only caterpillar larvae, is quite effective. As the insect matures, the level of effectiveness is reduced, and a broader spectrum insecticide must be used. We recently sent a "Request for Quotes" for Gypsy Moth treatment to multiple contractors. We requested price quotes to climb trees to remove or spray egg masses and additionally to ground- spray trees that are infested with larvae. Prices were obtained without waiting for Board input because if approved, egg mass spraying or removal will need to occur shortly (by early to mid April). Insecticide treatments for larvae may have to start as early as late April, depending on weather. However, note that we are under no obligation to proceed with any treatments if the Board disapproves. We received six price quotes from contractors. In order to figure the lowest cost, we used a sample treatment list which includes spraying 20 trees in each of the size classes requested, on both public and private property. The sample list also includes 170 man hours at a Time/Material rate to remove or treat egg masses. Autumn Tree Care Experts had the lowest price to remove/treat egg masses at $8,500.00 while Kramer Tree Specialists had the lowest price to spray infested trees at $6880.00. In order for the Village's contractor to work on private property we would ask the property owners to sign a "Hold Harmless" agreement allowing the work to be completed. These letters were used in the past and met with good response, with all residents in favor of the proposed treatments at Village expense. Should residents decline treatment by the Village's contractor, the Forestry/Grounds Division would need to enforce the existing Village Code, requiring that H:\Forestry\ WORD\20 I O\MEMO-GM-BRD-UPDA TE 3-23-1 O.doc Gypsy Moth infestations be treated by the property owner. (If they refused, we could issue fines in the amount of$50.00 per day; see Attachment C.) Currently $28,600.00 has been budgeted in the 2010 budget for Gypsy Moth Spraying (p.224, Account #0015203-540741). We propose to use $18,750.55 of the funds in this account to treat ashes for EAB prevention (see separate memo), and the balance, $9,849.45, to hire two contractors to treat infested public and private trees for Gypsy Moth as described above. Autumn Tree Care would perform egg mass removals and Kramer Tree Specialists would conduct ground spraying. Although it is impossible at this point to be certain how many additional infestations may need to be treated, based on egg mass counts we expect that in addition to the $9,849.45, we may need an additional $5,600.00 for Gypsy Moth treatments in 2010. If the Board concurs, these additional funds would need to be made available. Alternate Quote to Treat Private Trees at Property Owners Expense Because of the current economic conditions, we wanted to provide an alternative for residents if the Village Board decides not to pay for treatment of private trees. To accomplish this, we asked that the contractors providing price quotes for the Village also provide an alternate quote to treat private trees directly for residents. Quotes were obtained for egg mass removal and spraying of private trees. In this scenario the Village would only compile the pricing and provide contact information for residents with infested trees. The residents would then contact the contractor directly, and all billing and scheduling would be handled by the contractor. The following are the quotes submitted by the four lowest contractors for this alternate quote: ALTERNATE QUOTE: For Direct Contracting by Residents Contractor: Nels Johnson Davey Winkler's Tree Kramer Tree Per Tree Per Tree Per Tree Cost Cost Per Tree Cost Cost Ground Spray with Dipel, ($95.00 private tree UP to 20" $15.00 minimum) $45.00 $75.00 $40.00 Ground Spray with Dipel, ($95.00 private tree areater than 20" $20.00 minimum) $45.00 $75.00 $50.00 Ground Spray with Conserve, ($95.00 private tree UP to 20" $35.00 minimum) $45.00 $75.00 $40.00 Ground Spray with Conserve ($95.00 private tree qreater than 20" $50.00 minimum) $45.00 $75.00 $50.00 Time & Material per hour for one climber $64.00 $68.00 $54.91 $85.00 If the Board chooses this option, we propose to send this information to all property owners where Gypsy Moth has been found on private property. They may then choose to use one of these contractors, find a contractor on their own, or treat the tree themselves. H:\Forestry\ WORD\20 1 O\MEMO-GM-BRD-UPDA TE 3-23-1 O.doc Public Education In order to help combat Gypsy Moth, we will continue to educate the public about the presence of this pest. Property owners should know what to look for and what control measures can be taken to help slow the spread. For these reasons we have written an informative article for the April/May/June 2010 Village newsletter. We have also been distributing information packets, making the Homeowner's Guide (published by the University of Illinois Extension office) widely available to property owners. We also updated the section on the Village website where Gypsy Moth information can be obtained. Additionally, our Gypsy Moth display for the Public Works Open House will again be featured this year. (Note that the Open House will be held on Saturday May 15,2010 from 9AM untillPM.) Summary / Recommendations What we've learned from other municipalities' past experience is that Gypsy Moth can multiply very rapidly. In a short number of years a small infestation can become a widespread problem causing extensive tree defoliation and wide-spread public concern. We still feel that the best way to manage Gypsy Moth in Mount Prospect at this time is to treat every known infestation while populations are still relatively low. Therefore I request that, at the March 23, 2010 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Village Board considers approval of the above-mentioned control measures for spring and summer 2010, treating both public and private trees at Village expense. Later we will place traps and conduct another egg mass survey at the appropriate times to determine the success of the treatments. ~1~ Sandy Clark Glen R. Andler Public Works Director Attachments A. Gypsy Moth Trap Counts B. Map of Trap Locations and Egg Mass Counts, 2009-2010 C. Village Code Excerpts H:\Forestry\ WORD\20 1 O\MEMO-GM-BRD-UPDA TE 3-23-1 O.doc AH(tthmud A co CJ') 0 0 0 0 N N EO . ,. LO N "lit N ('i) N T""" N 0 tJ) N .., 0> c: T""" ::J 00 0 T""" 0 l"- T""" Q. L- (0 CI) ca T""" .a ... E t- ..q- T""" ~ .c N Z .., T""" C- O T""" ns :E T""" L- I- ~ 0> tJ) Q. 00 ~ C) I"- (0 LO ('i) N T""" 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 co I"- (0 L() ~ ('f) N ...... SlIJolI\I :10 # . . , I A-H(\cl)h1crrt B Village of Mount Prospect Gypsy Moth Trap Locations & Egg Mass Finds 2009-2010 ~5.' 1 t =-'-) ( ( 1hi~t-~ r'-<-'.A ... ~ ~ T ..... 0 1":"'\ 0:: ..l-\ ~,- 1 ~ , ~~-\130 2l- _ 0:: '\ ~ ----' ~ .......- EUCLID AV ).-'~ L..- ~L ~ ~.2 ~'" --I .... I- ...... 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I- ~ f-, ~mJ N W+E s Jg ......... 16) .... & n ~" !1j ~1-0~ W 149 GOLF RD ~ D # OF EGG MASSES FOUND (WINTER 2009-2010) o TRAP # (SUMMER 2009) OAKTON T Map as of 3-15-10 Printed by JJP/PW G:\GISProjects\FORESTRY\Gypsy Moth 2010\Gypsy Moth,mxd . , , , Attachment C Excerpt from current Village of Mount Prospect code: 9.714: GYPSY MOTH CONTROL: Trees or parts thereof, in a condition or within a designated or quarantined area, that are infested with any developmental stage of the gypsy moth, as determined by the state of Illinois or the United States forestry service (as a division of the United States department of agriculture), are declared to be public nuisances. It shall be unlawful for the person owning property whereon the same is situated to possess or keep the same. Additionally, any property that may be considered as having transported gypsy moth egg masses such as camping equipment and vehicles from a gypsy moth quarantine area is subject to be inspected. Any gypsy moth egg masses transported in this manner shall be the owner's responsibility for safe and effective removal and elimination. (Ord. 5253,5-21-2002; amd. Ord. 5260,6-18-2002) H:\Forestry\GYPSY MOTH\Code.doc