SPRUCE BUDWORM AERIAL SPRAYING TO BEGIN

Aerial spraying to control spruce budworm infestations in selected areas of the provincial forests will be occurring for the next week to ten days, weather permitting.

The Ministry of Environment will treat approximately 10,000 hectares of forest land in the Hudson Bay area of northeastern Saskatchewan. The biological pesticide, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a naturally-occurring soil bacterium is being used.

Btk has been safely used around the world for more than 40 years. When consumed, Btk is deadly to certain types of caterpillars; it is not harmful to other insects (including bees), fish, birds or wildlife and poses no human health hazard. Btk does not build up in the environment, surviving only a few days after application if it is not eaten by the target insect, the budworm. Results of the program are monitored and reported.

The provincial spruce budworm management program has been operating since 1992.

Maps, showing spray block locations, are available on-line at www.environment.gov.sk.ca (under Programs and Services/Forests/Forest Health).

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For more information, contact:

Val Nicholson
Environment
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-2459
Email: val.nicholson@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-981-5645