Town to provide resources as it gears up for LDD moth infestations

By Rob Paul

LDD moth infestations have long been an issue in the Caledon area and have become more abundant and widespread in recent years, and Town staff, as directed by Council, are proactively managing the 2022 LDD moth infestation on Town property. 

“We have invested significant resources in LDD moth management on Town property and action plans are well-underway,” said Mayor Allan Thompson. “While staff will focus on Town property and trees, there is support available for residents. The Town will provide burlap band kits free of charge this spring with instructions on how they work. I urge all residents to do their part in the weeks and months ahead.”  

In October 2021, the Town of Caledon appointed an Invasive Species Coordinator to lead the development and implementation of an LDD moth monitoring and management program. 

Staff will be ground-spraying Town-owned trees in areas identified with large infestations.

Infestation levels will continue to be monitored along trails and management decisions will be made accordingly and Town staff are monitoring trees across Caledon. 

Staff will use the monitoring data to predict the loss of leaves as well as what the 2022 population may look like. Over 100 monitoring locations have been selected throughout the Town. 

The Town will also be implementing an education and awareness campaign to inform property owners what to do and how to manage and prevent infestation on their trees. To help residents, there will also be a burlap giveaway. Burlap bands will be available for pick up at Town Hall, along with information on best practices for installation and use. 

The LDD moth will live in many tree species as its host. Some of the more-preferred trees include oak, maple, alder, beech and birch species. There are four life stages of the LDD moth and different ways to prevent their spread at each stage.

What residents can do to deal with LDD moths is scrape egg masses off trees between January and April, scrape off caterpillars and use burlap bands around their trees between May and August, apply a registered biological insecticide with the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (BTK) between mid-April and June, and set up pheromone traps to trap male moths between July and August. 

Together, the Town and residents can work to manage the infestation. Learn how to prevent infestations on private property at each stage by visiting caledon.ca/LDDmoths.