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The cause of Gladwin County's initial infestation is believed to be the result of a tornado
in the area of Winn, Michigan in the mid-80s.
By 1987 Gladwin County had their first year of niticeable defoliation and the first treatments
for gypsy mother were done in 1989 at the township level.
The first county-wide millage for gypsy moth suppression was passed in 1990, 1 mil for 3 years.
A second millage was passed in 1998 for up to 1 mil for 4 years. The program is still in place
running on those monies.
Gladwin county participates in the Michigan Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program. It is
a voluntary program where monies from the Federal Government reimburse the county a
percentage of the cost of running a suppression program, including the cost of the spray itself.
When trees lose more than 40% of their folliage, they will usually refoliate. The Michigan
Suppression Program attempts to prevent defoliation of more than 40% so that the trees do not refoliate.
The Gypsy Moth Program objectives are:
1. Protect tree foliage in wooded residential and recreational areas.
2. Reduce caterpillar numbers and therefore the nuisance level for residents.
3. Provide a control option that limits use of more toxic application choices.
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