Gypsy Moth Invasion: A Historical Perspective and Modern Solutions

In this eye-opening episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike takes us back to the late 1960s and early 1970s when the East Coast was ravaged by gypsy moths. These pests decimated entire forests, leaving barren landscapes in their wake. Mike shares his personal experiences and vivid memories of this infestation, describing how the caterpillars' frass created a rain-like sound and how homeowners used a sticky substance called Tanglefoot to combat them. Mike also delves into the controversy surrounding the renaming of gypsy moths to spongy moths, expressing his staunch opposition to the change. He explains the lifecycle of these pests, their lack of natural predators, and the innovative methods developed to control their population, including the use of fungal spores and mating disruptors. Listeners will find practical advice on how to deal with these pests today, including the use of imidacloprid for ground drenching to make trees inedible to gypsy moths. Mike also answers listener questions on a range of gardening topics, from the impact of weed killer in grass clippings to effective rabbit repellents and dealing with tomato blight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.