Community Corner
Aerial Spraying Planned At Potawatomi Woods Preserve
During the application, the preserve said a low-flying helicopter will spray a biological pesticide, Btk, over the 114-acre preserve.
NEW LENOX, IL — Aerial spraying for the European gypsy moth will take place at the Potawatomi Woods Preserve in New Lenox Township. According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has received a special use permit to conduct the spraying.
The spraying is scheduled to take place Friday, May 10, or Monday, May 13, weather permitting. Then, a week to 10 days later, a second application will be applied, said Nancy Johnson, gypsy moth program manager for the state's Department of Agriculture.
During the application, the preserve said a low-flying helicopter will spray a biological pesticide, Btk, over the 114-acre preserve, as well as adjacent land. The preserve is located north of Route 30 and west of I-80 in New Lenox Township.
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The European gypsy moth is one of the most damaging forest and tree pests in the United States, which is why treatment is required, according to the department.
"This treatment is part of a statewide program to prevent EGM from establishing itself outside of the northeast corner of Illinois. We are also attempting to reduce the impact of its invasion from other states," the department said.
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According to the department, Btk is not toxic to people or animals.
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