Minnesota Department of Agriculture Lifts Quarantine for Lowry Hill

On June 14, 2018, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has lifted the quarantine for Lowry Hill.  MDA treated the quarantine area on three separate occasions in May to eradicate the insects.

The Department will monitor the area this summer using small, triangle-shaped traps made of cardboard. The traps contain a pheromone to lure in male gypsy moths. This process will confirm the effectiveness of the treatments.

Now that the quarantine has been lifted, trees may be pruned and all branches and woody material can be disposed of through the city’s yard waste collection.

Gypsy moths have caused millions of dollars in damage to forests in the eastern United States. The moths are common in Wisconsin and are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. They feed on over 300 different types of trees and shrubs.

If residents suspect gypsy moth in their area, the MDA urges them to contact the Department’s Arrest the Pest line at 1-888-545-6684 or arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us.

Read the full MDA article here.