The GW Search engine did not send me to the numerous postings some of us have written in years past. Too bad as lots of interesting gypsy moth data is lost. This question has come from Western New York where I suspect residents are being updated. My suggestion would be to contact Cornell U. for the latest reports on the fungus Entomophage maimaiga which is being tested in the upper mid-west with success over the past few years. Further suggest that this contact be made through the Geneva Experiment Station in Geneva, NY (a division of Cornell) as I have found the staff there helpful directing me to the best sources. As to the question of what the average homeowner can do to protect trees.....etc. Two thoughts: 1. The old method of using burlap and Tanglefoot (easily ordered on line if not available in your stores does help in the early stages of the infestation. You want the thick, gooey type, not the spray-on variety of Tanglefoot. I prefer to use several widths of blue painter's tape side by side rather than burlap. It is easy to apply and coat using a tongue depressor with Tanglefoot, easy to remove and replace when needed with no harm to tree bark. 2. The gypsy moth battle involves everyone in town. The first step is to have an expert appear on the local news and write articles teaching how to identify the tan/yellow egg cases that the female moth lays at the base of trees and underneath everything such as woodpiles, kids swing seats, porch overhangs, etc. usually within a height of 3-4 feet from the ground. Every homeowner should be watching for these egg cases and should receive instructions on how to remove and destroy them. Egg cases are scraped off with a putty knife into a container and then the spot where the case is removed is painted with a bit of winter strength dormant oil. This is an old time method and if a suburban community will turn out in late summer/fall seeking and destroying the egg cases, each in his own neighborhood, it really makes a difference. A good Scout project. A great family project. Well worth the effort to coordinate.

For those who want to do something about the gypsy moth eggs before they hatch next spring (besides begging for a wet spring so the fungus kills the caterpillars), I've found a lot of information mostly leading to spraying the eggs with a horticultural oil product. If the egg masses are on a flat surface it's easy to scrape them off and dump them in a bucket of soapy water, but if they're on tree bark it's a whole different story. This is not really scrape-able without damaging the tree. The Virginia Cooperative Extension has a good page: Gypsy Moth Management for Homeowners on Small Properties ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg mass treatments (prior to egg hatch) Since each egg mass contains from 500 to 1000 eggs, destruction of egg masses before hatch can have an impact on populations. Starting in the fall, search your property, including trees, outdoor furniture and play equipment, for egg masses. In some areas of VA, eggs hatch as early as mid-March, so egg masses must be destroyed before that time. • Using a putty knife or similar tool, scrape the egg masses into a plastic bag or can. Once collected, empty the contents of the bag into a container of soapy water (dish soap works well) and soak for a day or two. • An option to physically removing egg masses is to saturate egg masses before hatch with a solution of horticultural oil labeled for gypsy moth (available at garden stores). This will smother the gypsy moth larvae (caterpillars) within the eggs. This solution is available commercially as Golden Pest Spray Oil® (Stoller Enterprises, Inc.), or you can make your own using soybean oil and water (1:1). Use a small spray bottle, household sprayer, or "supersoaker" water gun to soak the egg masses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I ordered the Golden Pest Spray Oil and I think I'm going to get myself a supersoaker water gun (might as well enjoy the process). Claire

I garden in long pants all summer due to contact grass allergies - for me avoidance is key, so I also have a HEPA filter in the house to remove airborne allergens. DH is allergic to the bites of blackflies which infest NH during May every year. He finds the effect cumulative over the course of the month each year, so starts with welts, but has had a systemic reaction where he was getting hives all over and starting to swell up. Happily a neighbor had some epinephrine, and another neighbor who is a doctor injected it, but it was scary there for a while. He now is really careful to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves, long pants and gloves if he is working outside, though he mostly avoids that, and he carries an epipen religiously for that month. So that's why I suggested you talk with your doctor - it has the potential to get worse with increased exposure, though it may not. Do your best to avoid exposure, but have a plan in case it gets worse. I agree that spraying in place with oil might be more safe than vacuuming for you, or else have someone else do it. I'd also research preventive treatments for next year, some of which are mentioned on the gypsy moth thread.

These haven't reached my part of the country...but the oak processionary moth has...with horrible persistent hairs causing allergic reactions, skin blisters and general all-round nastiness...as well as defoliating oaks. Nature really is red in tooth and claw (and hair).