City Of Portland: Parks Department Continues Treatment For Browntail Moth Infestation

Portland ME

30 April, 2022

1:28 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Portland: April 29, 2022 Deering Oaks Park will be closed to all guests during the time of actual treatment and for four hours following application. The application will be directed at each tree canopy during early morning hours (prior to 8:00 AM). Police, Park Rangers and proper signage will be placed around all entrances during this closure. It is imperative to treat the trees now because of the public health risks associated with Browntail moths' poisonous hairs, and because the moths can harm and even kill the trees over a couple of seasons. The organic insecticide treatment aligns with leaf-out, which is necessary to minimize defoliation and prevent the caterpillars from molting and releasing their hairs into the air. Per the City's Pesticide Use Ordinance, Chapter 34-5 Subsection D, this treatment plan is exempt and will not require a waiver. Farmers' Market RelocationThe City has again worked to relocate the Portland Farmers' Market to Payson Park during the treatment. Starting May 16, residents can visit the market in Payson Park. The market will continue to operate out of Payson Park through June 12 (only 4 weeks this year, as opposed to 6 weeks last year). Read the full 2022 Memo to Council. For more information on browntail moths, visit: Maine Forest Service & Maine CDC. This press release was produced by the City of Portland. The views expressed here are the author's own.