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Helicopter to spray parts of city for gypsy moths Friday morning

Journal Staff If you hear a helicopter outside your window Friday morning there’s no need to be alarmed - unless you’re a gypsy moth. Zimmer Air Services is preparing to mist 49.2 hectares of Sarnia’s north end on May 14 between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.
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A Zimmer Air Services helicopter sprays trees in Canatara Park with a biological insecticide in 2020. Troy Shantz, The Journal

Journal Staff

If you hear a helicopter outside your window Friday morning there’s no need to be alarmed - unless you’re a gypsy moth.

Zimmer Air Services is preparing to mist 49.2 hectares of Sarnia’s north end on May 14 between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The helicopter will spray four areas identified to have severe infestations of the moth’s caterpillars, city staff said.

The biological insecticide used is a bacterium found naturally in soil that’s been used for 30 years as a pest control agent on woods and agricultural crops.

If the weather holds, the areas sprayed will be north of Hollywood Place between Marcin Road and Newell Street, south of Michigan Avenue between Christina Street and Newell Street, Lakeview Cemetery, and Canatara Park.

The city says no special precautions are necessary and members of the public are unlikely to experience any health effects.

Residents in the coverage area are advised to bring in laundry, toys and pets indoors, and cover barbecues or outdoor furniture.

It is also recommend residents remain indoors 30 minutes after spraying to allow for the droplets to deposit onto the tree leaves.

Brief road closures are expected during the spray.

The helicopter is applying a biological pesticide that is registered under Canada’s Pest Control Act, the city said.


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