Aerial treatment for gypsy moth will be carried out in Houston, Winona and Wabasha counties from June 28 to 30.

Treatments will start at 6.30am. The areas and an interactive map are listed below.

The treatment will be a food grade, waxy, certified organic substance containing pheromones designed to disrupt the mating of the gypsy moth, which essentially confuses male moths.

Treatment makes it difficult for male gypsy moths to find females for mating. The result is fewer caterpillars that hatch and attack trees next year.

The application is scheduled just as the adult butterflies emerge in early summer and will be applied by low-flying yellow planes contracted by the US Forest Service as part of a joint project with MDA.

The product is not harmful to humans, animals, birds or other insects and will help protect the health of forests.

Gypsy moths are among America’s most destructive tree pests, causing millions of dollars in damage to eastern forests. Moths are now threatening Minnesota. See more moth stages here.

If present in large numbers, gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of the forest. Oak, poplar, birch and willow are among their favorite hosts. Butterflies spread slowly on their own, but people may unwittingly help them spread by carrying firewood or other objects the butterflies have laid their eggs on.

Residents can search for their address on an interactive map to determine if they are in one of these blocks.

Here are the eight sites that total approximately 69,000 acres:

• Houston County – Jefferson Block – 2,881 acres (MAP)
• Houston County – Mound Prairie Block – 12,060 acres (MAP)
• Houston County – Brownsville Block, including parts of the Town of Brownsville – 2,418 acres (MAP)
• Wabasha and Winona Counties – Weaver Block – 13,004 acres (MAP)
• Winona County – Dakota Block – 9,533 acres (MAP)
• Winona County – Homer Ridge Block – 26,061 acres (MAP)
• Winona County – Pleasant Hill Block – 1,470 acres (MAP)
• Winona County – Wiscoy Block – 2,489 acres (MAP)

To help local citizens stay informed, MDA has set up an Arrest the Pest information line at 1-888-545-MOTH (6684). The hotline will offer the latest details on dates and times of treatment. Residents can sign up to receive treatment progress updates by texting “MDA SUD-EST” to 468311 to receive SMS or SMS notifications “MDA SUD-EST” [your email address here]”To 468311 to receive email notifications.

Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or [email protected] with questions regarding the gypsy moth and its intended treatment.