Forest entomologist Charlene Donahue will be on familiar ground next Wednesday when she presents a public information session on browntail moth caterpillars at the Freeport Community Library.
Donahue, who works for the Maine Forest Service, made a similar presentation last September in town. She will be at the library again on March 2, at 6 p.m., because – once again – the Maine Forest Service projects high levels of browntail moths in Freeport this year. The town has invited her back, to advise residents, especially those who live in the Wolfe’s Neck and Flying Point areas, what they can do to fight back against infestations. The hairs from the caterpillars can cause a severe rash to those who come in contact with them, and their nests can damage or kill trees.
Johanna Hanselman, general assistance coordinator for Freeport, is the contact person for residents reporting brown tail moth infestations. Hanselman said in an email to the Tri-Town Weekly that she hasn’t yet heard from anyone with concerns.
“It’s too early for people to feel the effects of the browntail moth caterpillars, so people aren’t really thinking about it right now,” she said. “Come this spring and summer, that’s when people will feel the impact and that is often too late to do anything about it, so that is why we want to get the information out to people now. Now is the time to be checking for the overwintering webs and clipping webs that are within reach.”
According to the Maine Forest Service, the webs contain between 25-400 larvae, so clipping them – and then destroying the larvae – can have a significant impact. The webs can be burned or dipped into soapy water.
Donahue agreed with Hanselman that now’s the time for people who have experienced problems with browntail moths to take action. Neighborhood groups such as the Wolfe’s Neck Road Owners Association are most effective because they have bulk purchasing power with licensed pesticide applicators, Donahue said. Arborists can prune limbs at any time, or they can spray in May, when the caterpillars begin moving around and feeding.
“A neighborhood association can get a discount from a licensed pesticide applicator – usually an arborist,” Donahue said. “People should contact them now, get estimates and get on their work schedules.”
The Wolfe’s Neck Road Owners Association is on it. Kathy Smith, a member of the association, said last week that 19 association members asked Whitney Tree Service of New Gloucester to assess their properties.
“They came in in December and looked at everyone’s trees,” Smith said. “We went to all those properties and they are going to get back to us with an estimate. The treatments will be sometime this spring.”
Smith said that Whitney Tree Service is careful to follow the state’s protocol in its treatment applications.
Smith, a gardener, has dealt with the browntail moth infection, and she’s not alone.
“All these 19 families have had a problem,” she said.
Donahue said that pruning is not recommended for landowners unless the limbs are on low-lying apple trees.
“It’s not recommended for webs high on oak trees,” she said. “Also, there is a state law that restricts using spray in coastal areas. There’s not a whole lot a homeowner alone can do.”
If trees are located too close to the water, state law prohibits spraying, Donahue said. Tree injections can be done, but that is expensive, she said.
Donahue said that the browntail moth caterpillars become active in April. Human infections are the highest in late May and June. The Maine Forest Service recommends mowing lawns when they are wet, to avoid dispersing the hairs.
Why is Freeport – and the midcoast in general – a hot spot for browntail moths?
“We honestly don’t know,” Donahue said. “It’s something about the biology of the insect. Whatever’s going on, it’s just perfect weather for browntail moths, and they’ve an invasive species, so there are no natural predators.”
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