Forest tent caterpillar spraying to continue Tuesday, weather permitting

The City of Winnipeg’s head forester said the population of tent caterpillars in the city is high this year and by next year there could be a significant infestation.

Spraying on the city’s forest tent caterpillars scheduled for Monday night will resume Tuesday if the weather cooperates.

The city said BTK will be sprayed in areas 23 and 24 starting Tuesday at 9:30 p.m..

Those areas include Tuxedo Industrial, West Perimeter South, Whyte Ridge, Wilkes South, Brockville, Buffalo, Chevrier, Linden Ridge, Linden Woods, Pembina Strip and West Fort Garry Industrial.

Spraying will also start in the Kilcona Park, River East, Springfield North and Valhalla areas.

However, treatments will be cancelled if there is significant rainfall or winds greater than 20 kilometres per hour.

A map of the city’s management areas can be found here.

The city said BTK will be sprayed from high-pressure tree sprayers directly onto the foliage of trees located on city parks and boulevards. After forest tent caterpillars eat the organic product, they stop feeding and die about two to three days later.

Buffer zones will be respected, the city said, and crews will ensure sprayers are not treating within 30 metres of each side of a registered property.

Residents can apply for a buffer zone to exempt their property from the forest tent caterpillar treatment program. Those who apply have to provide identification linking the resident to the address being registered for a buffer zone. The city said a utility bill can be used to prove primary residence.

Residents can also sign up for email notifications about the adult mosquito and tree pest caterpillar control programs at the City of Winnipeg’s website or by calling 311.