We're loaded with them here in Tabernacle. We're thin, but not striped. They're almost all done eating and have begun pupating. Next year will be devestating. Late winter township requested homeoners to report the number of egg masses per acher to decide where to spray. We had hundreds. The neighborhood reported in, and our area had the most respondents in the township, but they did not spray us, nor did they inform us they wouldn't spray, so we could do so privately, nor did they offer us to buy in to their program. No communication at all, the worst, self serving government you could imagine. They always take care of "their" issues.
BT is the only thing the state will spray. Under the best conditions to propagate the virus (a damp spring) it's proponents claim 60% mortality. Fifty % would have made a big difference this year, But due to the explosive population, each egg mass containing 500 eggs, 60% next year will still mean total defoilation.
In the past , 1980's, we privately sprayed with sevin and dimilin. Sevin kills all insects indiscriminantly, bees, fish, ticks (yeah)... must be injested and only works for a few days. Dimilin works on contact with the catapillars skin, distorting it so they can not molt. It stays effective for months and will not harm bees, birds, fish.
With 4 acres and very tall trees, the only approach for us is arial.
Ed
