On occasion, the Conservation District is asked to conduct gypsy moth egg mass surveys to determine the severity of the infestation. The Conservation District may conduct a survey this year depending on the situation.

Please note that there is no 2010 spray program for Snyder County due to low gypsy moth caterpillar counts and lack of funds.

For more information about the program, or you suspect that you have gypsy moth caterpillars or egg masses, please contact Craig Bingman, District Manager, at 570-837-3000, x114, or the Conservation District at 570-837-3000, x110.

Updated Status

In 2007 the gypsy moth caterpillars chewed their way into Snyder County landowner’s woodlots after more than a ten year hiatus. To help combat the pesky leaf eaters in 2008, a joint effort between the Snyder County Commissioners, Snyder County Conservation District and the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources' (DCNR) PA Bureau of Forestry treated close to 1,200 acres in seven townships with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a bacterial spray for leaf eating caterpillars.

The cool, damp weather that we have experienced in 2009 appeared to bring relief to infested woodlots because the gypsy moths are highly susceptible to a fungus and virus during these weather conditions.

In the past, landowners were responsible for paying roughly half the spray costs while DCNR's Bureau of Forestry cost shared an estimated $21.00/acre. To qualify for the spray program, the spray block had to have at least 24 wooded acres with a residence(s) or special use area within or near the woodlot. Adjoining landowners could combine their acres to come up with 24 or more total acres. Egg mass counts had be 250 per acre or higher to qualify. Landowner payments were made to the conservation district before the spray block was approved.