Western Wisconsin to See Thousands of Spongy Moth Traps Set

Western Wisconsin residents will see traps set for the next few weeks as state officials seek to halt the spread of the invasive spongy moth.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will be placing the traps through the end of June. The goal of the traps is to measure, not control, the spongy moth population in different areas. DATCP officials will begin checking the traps in June and August, and begin removing them soon after.

Agency officials are asking residents not to disturb the traps if they come across them. According to a press release, most of the traps will be placed in public areas. If the trappers suspect an infestation is growing on private property, they will attempt to contact the owner before placing the trap.

The traps will also include contact information for agency officials for residents who have questions or notice a broken trap. They emit a scent that attracts the invasive species but is undetectable to other insects, animals and humans.

By measuring the number of spongy moths captured in the traps, DATCP officials will gain a greater understanding of which areas need more treatment and which areas remain mostly unaffected. Following the removal of the traps, the DATCP will begin conducting egg mass surveys in the most affected areas.

Managing the spread of the spongy moth has become a troublesome issue across Western Wisconsin. In addition to placing traps across the region, the DATCP is also spraying aerial treatment in Pepin, Buffalo and Grant Counties. In their larva stage, the invasive species can defoliate and significantly damage a wide variety of trees.