FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 3, 2009

County preparing 2009 gypsy moth spray program
March 25 forum will focus on how towns, 
homeowners can battle pests  

FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission will hold its Annual Spring Forum featuring the county’s 2009 planned gypsy moth spray program at 7 p.m. on March 25 at the Monmouth County Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Rd.

“Gypsy moths have damaged trees on hundreds of acres of forest throughout Monmouth County since it reappeared in 2005,” Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow said. “While the gypsy moth problem is cyclical, the county’s Shade Tree Commission has been proactive in this situation by optimizing resources during the three or four week time frame we have to fight the problem.” 

“This year’s program will focus on several pest problems – specifically how towns and homeowners can understand and tackle gypsy moths, the Asian tiger mosquito and ticks,” John W. Tobia, director of the county’s Department of Public Works & Engineering said, “We will focus on ways that we can all work together to minimize damage caused by gypsy moth caterpillars.”

The Spring Forum will include the following topics:

• New Jersey’s gypsy moth program and Monmouth County’s spray block program – Joseph Zoltowski, Chief, Bureau of Plant, Pest & Disease Control, NJ Department of Agriculture.
• Monmouth County’s 2009 aerial suppression program, and what homeowners can do to control these pests – Brian Gosnell, Monmouth County gypsy moth coordinator.
• Current projects concerning mosquitoes & ticks – Sean Healy, entomologist, Monmouth County Mosquito Commission.  This program will focus on the increased presence of Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus)and the county’s efforts to control ticks.

The Annual Spring Forum is open to Monmouth County residents. Continuing education credits (CEUs) are available for municipalities that participate in the NJ Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act.  Also, individual pesticide license recertification credits are available for ornamental (cat. 3A), forest pest control (cat. 2), aerial pest control (cat. 11), and mosquito control (cat. 8B). For additional information, contact the Shade Tree Commission at 732-431-7903.

There is no charge to attend the forum, but space is limited and advance registration is required by March 20. Register by calling 732-431-7903 or send an email to dfeigus@visitmonmouth.com.

The county’s spraying program is tentatively scheduled to begin in May when the gypsy moth caterpillars become active.

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