Spongy Moth Spraying Planned Tuesday In Lemont

LEMONT, IL — The Illinois Department of Agriculture will be spraying for spongy moth control by helicopter early Tuesday in Lemont.

The Village sent a notification to residents, stating the spraying will begin at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday. This is the second time the Illinois Department of Agriculture has sprayed for spongy moth control this month.

In April, the Department of Agriculture held an open house at Lemont Public Library, explaining its plan to treat for the spongy moth in the area.

The spongy moth is a non-native tree pest, according to the department of agriculture. Large populations of the pest can strip plants bare, and severe or repeated defoliation can cause tree death. The spongy moth is not a picky eater, but its caterpillars prefer oak, willow and even pines, according to a news release. Female spongy moths cannot fly because of the weight of their eggs, but the males can fly.

Infested sites will be treated with applications of either BtK or mating disruption, based on the level of the infestation.

In Lemont, the department of agriculture will use BtK product (Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki), which is a naturally occurring bacteria used by gardeners as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

"It is important to note that BtK has an excellent safety record and is not harmful to people or animals," the department said in a news release in April.