By Sarah Klein
WINNIPEG — The city’s insect control branch has started its tree pest caterpillar control program for the season.
The program will also target elm spanworm, and the spring and fall cankerworm species using Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (BTK). The high-pressure tree sprayers come in the form of an organic and biological agent meant to stop feeding and kill off the caterpillars within two to three days of ingesting the substance.
Beginning at 9:30 p.m. tonight, crews will focus their attention on Insect Management Areas 42 (Central Park, Colony, Daniel McIntyre, Portage — Ellice, Spence, West Alexander) and 45 (Burrows Central, Robertson).
Spraying will not occur if there is significant rainfall or winds are greater than 20 km/hr.
Residents who have applied for a 30-metre buffer zone will be respected. Property owners wishing to still apply can contact 311. A 72-hour turnaround time is required for processing.
