The gypsy moth is the most destructive forest insect pest to infest New Jersey's forests. Repeated defoliation by the gypsy moth represents a serious threat to New Jersey woodland and shade tree resources.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture promotes an integrated pest management approach, which encourages natural controls to reduce gypsy moth feeding and subsequent tree loss. However, when gypsy moth cycles are at a peak, natural controls have difficulty in preventing severe defoliation. In these special cases, the Department recommends aerial spray treatments on residential and recreational areas using the selective, non-chemical insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis. The Department's Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is a voluntary cooperative program involving New Jersey municipalities, county agencies, state agencies, and the USDA Forest Service. In order to protect New Jersey's valuable forest resources, the Department conducts aerial defoliation and ground egg mass surveys, monitors the application and evaluates the efficacy of the spray material.
- 2009 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
- 2008 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
- 2007 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
- Program Details
- Gypsy Moth Information
- 2009 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
2009 Proposed New Jersey Gypsy Moth Aerial Spray Zones
- 2008 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
2008 New Jersey Gypsy Moth Aerial Defoliation Survey Results and Statewide Aerial Defoliation Map
2008 Spray Zones
- 2007 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
2007 New Jersey Gypsy Moth Aerial Defoliation Survey Results
2007 Statewide Aerial Defoliation Map
- Program Details
Voluntary Gypsy Moth Suppression Program Regulations
Model newspaper notice
Model resident notice
- Gypsy Moth Information
Finding a pesticide applicator to control gypsy moth. This link takes you to the NJDEP Data Miner Pesticides page. Click on the item that says "Applicator Businesse by Types of Pest Control Performed. Once on the Pesticide Applicator Search Page, select your county and then either ornamental, shade trees or forests to find applicators to control gypsy moth.
You may also check your local Yellow Pages for "arborists."
Fact Sheets:
For the Homeowner
General Information