Mississauga residents called to the front lines in battle to save trees from gypsy moths

Mississauga residents are being encouraged to protect their trees against damage caused by the invasive, leaf-eating gypsy moth.

City of Mississauga officials say homeowners with trees on their property can follow a few simple steps this winter to prevent the invasive species from damaging or killing their trees.

In a Twitter post today, the City provides a link to a one-minute video that demonstrates how to identify and remove gypsy moth egg masses. The gypsy moth is also known as Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD).

“From now until spring, residents can help control the LDD moth population and protect their own trees by searching their property for any egg masses and removing them,” the City tweeted.

From now until spring, residents can help control the LDD moth population and protect their own trees by searching their property for any egg masses and removing them. Watch the video on how to identify and remove LDD egg masses: https://t.co/dqaPyhx39J@saugaparksrec pic.twitter.com/EftSWtzJfJ

— City of Mississauga (@citymississauga) December 15, 2021

The gypsy moth has been an unwelcome presence in Mississauga for years, and it’s a serious threat to the tree canopy in several parts of the city as it eats Oak trees and other hardwood species.

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Mississauga forestry staff received $3 million in the City’s 2022 budget with which to stage the latest battle against the hungry pest.

The money will help pay for another round of aerial spraying in affected areas next spring. The City last spray-bombed areas in 2018, which helped slow the gypsy moth population for about two years.

But within the past year or so, the tree-munching pest has returned in force in Mississauga and across southern Ontario.

“Protecting Mississauga’s tree canopy and the environment is more important than ever. Trees play such a critical role in helping fight climate change, especially in urban areas like Mississauga,” Jodi Robillos, the City’s commissioner of community services, said during a recent budget committee meeting.

“We need to ensure our trees, forests and greenspaces remain healthy today and into the future. An Aerial Spray Program will target public and privately-owned trees so that our neighbourhoods can continue to remain green and vibrant.”

Earlier this year, it was determined the gypsy moth was also making a nuisance of itself in another way.

People who came into close contact with heavily-treed areas developed rashes, which were not serious in nature, but caused symptoms of slight stinging and itchiness for several days.

Native to Europe, the gypsy moth was introduced to North America several decades ago. The caterpillars eat leaves from trees during the spring and early summer.

While healthy trees can grow back their leaves in the same season, an ongoing infestation of the moth weakens trees and can make them more likely to be damaged from other insects as well.