In Ohio, isolated outbreaks outside infested counties can be caused by people inadvertently importing gypsy moth eggs masses from quarantined counties on camping equipment, cars, boats, firewood, etc. In these areas, ODA uses pheromone flakes to change the behavior of the adult male moth. This treatment is designed to reduce or eliminate gypsy moth populations outside infested counties, and it has been used successfully in other states. These treatments were first used in Ohio last year on more than 44,0000 acres near Beavercreek in Greene County, near Latham in Pike County, and near Coldwater in Mercer County. This year, nearly 45,000 acres will be treated in Clark, Greene, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, and Scioto counties.
Pheromones are chemicals produced by insects to communicate.
To control gypsy moths, the pheromone is incorporated into plastic laminated flakes that are mixed with a sticking agent and released from an airplane. The sticking agent is not strong, but will ensure the pheromone is distributed at all levels in the forest canopy where gypsy moths may live. If the flakes land on cars or patio furniture, they can easily be wiped or washed off. Once the flakes are released, they saturate the air in the treated area with the pheromone for 2 to 3 months, disrupting the communication between the female and male gypsy moth. The pheromone flake release in early to mid-June is timed to correspond with the male gypsy moth s flight, preventing him from finding the flightless female and mating.