GYPSY MOTH SPRAYING

     WEATHER-RELATED CONCERNS PUSHED BACK THE PLANNED START FOR THE GYPSY MOTH CATERPILLAR SPRAYING CAMPAIGN THIS WEEK.

       IT BEGAN TWO DAYS LATER THAN PLANNED IN EAST FLAMBORO AND GREENSVILLE (THIS) TUESDAY MORNING.   HAMILTON'S MANAGER OF FORESTRY MIKE MCNAMARA SAYS IT INVOLVES TWO APPLICATIONS.

      THE LARVAE ARE ATTACKED TWICE DURING THEIR LIFE CYCLES.

     THE WHOLE PROGRAM - WHICH IS COSTING 830-THOUSAND DOLLARS SHOULD TAKE 8 TO 10 DAYS.

      THE CITY SAYS "BTK" - A NATURAL PESTICIDE - WILL NOT HURT OTHER PLANTS, ANIMALS OR PEOPLE.  OFFICIALS ALSO SAY IT WON'T HARM PATIO FURNITURE.

      THE SPRAYING PROGRAM WAS EXPANDED AFTER OFFICIALS NOTED TREES WERE IN DANGER FOLLOWING SEVERAL DRY SUMMERS AND AN EXPECTED HIGH HATCH RATE OF THE CATERPILLARS WHICH EAT THE LEAVES.