Wisconsin and Minnesota Ready to Tackle Another Season of Invasive Spongy Moths

DULUTH, Minn. — Now that warmer spring weather has arrived, more and more bugs are starting to come out and that includes both native and invasive species.  Spongy moths are one invasive species that both Wisconsin and Minnesota take seriously as they infest over 300 types of trees and shrubs.

In Wisconsin, the DNR has set up a new Spongy Moth Resource Center website to provide the public with the latest information and advice. That includes identification, control options, quarantine zones, and public land treatment schedules.

As for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, they reported record numbers of spongy moths detected in traps each of the last two years. This year they will be setting up 20 thousand traps to survey the moth and establish a management plan. These will be placed mainly in the eastern half of the state and the public is asked not to disturb the traps if they come across them.