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.

Funny how plants will fool you and thrive when you don't follow the "rules." Try to take a nice amount of soil to disturb the roots as little as possible, put in a pot - something solid rather than a soft bag which might let soil loosen. Place in a sheltered spot out of wind and sun 'til you can get them back to the new spot. Try to transplant late in the day, preferably while it is drizzling or rain is predicted. Make provision to shade/cover the plants for several days if need be. Sometimes I use a little cage with one-two layers of screening or a tall basket to cover a newly set plant. One time we moved my Mother's entire garden in May from zone 6 to 5. This included daylilies, poppies, bearded iris, lilies in bud, peonies, daffodils, tulips and many,many other perennials. There was minimal loss even with a heavy frost on May 26 that year. Progeny from some of those daylilies are in my garden today - over 40 years later. Peonies are still there.

The rows of holes do sound like sapsuckers. Although related to woodpeckers, they are not going after insects in the tree, but the sap (hence the name sapsucker). You shouldn't have to worry about ants. I've seen a lot of sapsucker damage, but never heard of them going after conifers. I see them on aspen, birch, mountain-ash, and some small maples like amur maple. I would be surprised if they ate pitch from a conifer. Typically sapsuckers feed for a couple of weeks and move on. The small wounds they make can heal over, although if there are a lot of them - several rows - then there is the risk that sections of bark will die and more serious damage occurs. If the sapsuckers are actively feeding, they will return to the same tree several times a day. If so, it is time to try the beach balls.

It's not really such an involved process to legally acquire one of the fruiting bananas--just seems that way at first glance. You kickstart the process by telephoning or emailing, then filling in the forms posted to you, then arranging for payment and delivery when the plants are available. It takes time, yes, and it's not as simple as just buying a plant from the local nursery, but you can do everything from home. That's been my experience of getting a fruiting banana--can't comment on the ornamental ones, though, because I haven't tried growing them. And yes, your property can be inspected, but that's true of a lot of other things, eg fire ants.