The Minnesota Department of Agriculture began its attack against gypsy moth caterpillars in our neighborhood around 5:30 this morning.
I was awakened by the loud drone of this plane that delivered the weapon of choice: Btk, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. The soil fungus activates spores in the stomachs of caterpillars that eat vegetation upon which it has been sprayed, causing the caterpillars to die in seven to 10 days.
The official government fact sheet on Btk reports it is relatively harmless to humans and pets, though they recommend staying indoors up to 30 minutes after the spraying, waiting for the dew to dry before going outside, washing your hands after being outside, and washing any skin that comes in contact with wet spray.
Another aerial attack is likely to come later this summer. It would drop synthetic pheromone chips that confuse male moths, making it difficult for them to find female moths and mate.
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