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Maine Forest Service


*For Immediate Release
*February 1, 2023

*Media contact: *Jim Britt <[email protected]>

*Tools and Tips for Helping To Knock Out More Browntail Moths*

*AUGUSTA, Maine*???To draw increased attention to the risks presented to humans by the browntail moth (BTM), the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced February as Browntail Moth Awareness Month. Winter is the best time to spot, clip and destroy the caterpillars lying dormant in their winter webs. Web removal prevents more caterpillars from emerging, thus reducing the risk of toxic hairs, which can cause poison ivy-like rash and asthma-like reactions in humans. BTM has been in an outbreak phase since 2015, and the rash- and itch-causing pest cannot be eradicated. Comprehensive BTM tools and tips and data-informed resources compiled by the Maine Forest Service, Board of Pesticides Control, Maine Center for Disease Control, the University of Maine, and other partners, including research, infestation tracking, FAQs, and educational materials for communities, municipalities, businesses, and healthcare providers, are available on?maine.gov/dacf/knockoutbtm [ [link removed] ]*.*

Maine Forest Service Four Rs BTM

*Three Steps to Maximize the Effectiveness of BTM Awareness Month*

*Step One
**Know the Four Rs to Reduce BTM populations in Maine*

*Recognize* BTM winter webs [ [link removed] ] in the trees where you live, work, or play. Knowing where BTM winter webs are in your yard or town can help inform your management decisions and aid in removal to prevent impacts from the toxic hairs.

*Remove*?BTM webs with?hand snips or an extendable pole pruner [ [link removed] ]?in areas?within reach of the ground and away from hazards such as powerlines. Protect your eyes and skin from hairs that might be present from past caterpillar activity. After removal, destroy the webs [ [link removed] ].

*Recruit?*professional help [ [link removed] ]?to treat BTM webs out of reach or near hazards on the property you own or manage.?Licensed professional arborists [ [link removed] ]?can remove BTM webs in larger trees and shrubs in the winter. Some arborists offer web-clipping services using drones. Licensed pesticide applicators may be able to help control BTM adult breeding activities during the growing season.

*Reach out* if you have concerns about BTM. Neighbors, business owners, and community members can come together to respond to the problem and achieve greater results. Consider hosting your own BTM web clipping event in your neighborhood to reduce the itch for your family and your community!

*Step Two
Participate and Share BTM Awareness Month Events*

Participating in BTM knowledge-building activities and events?can help you become more informed about BTM and bolster the momentum and energy needed to organize community web clipping or BTM mapping events. The following list is a sample of events and activities across the state.

*February 2, 2023, 10:30 to 11:00 AM*
Free and virtual webinar hosted by?the Maine Forest Service
Topics include BTM history, defoliation status, and tools to knock out BTM.

*February 8, 2023, 6:30 to 8:15 PM?*
Free and virtual webinar hosted by Southern Maine Volkssport Association
Topics include BTM biology, history, life cycle, status, management, and mitigation strategies*.?*Pre-registration is required by emailing [email protected].

*February 2, 2023, 3:30 to 4:30 PM*
Free and virtual webinar hosted by the University of Maine One Health Initiative
Topics include the University of Maine?s BTM research. No registration is required; join by using this Zoom link [ [link removed] ]. Passcode: 269053.

*February 18, 2023, 10:30 to 12:00 PM*
Free and in-person workshop hosted by the Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension *?*
Topics include hands-on learning about how to recognize and remove BTM. This workshop is an outdoor event; weather-appropriate attire is required. Bring pruning equipment and work gloves. Pole saws, hand saws, and loppers will be available for participant trials. More information and to register for the event can be found on their Events [ [link removed] ] page. Registration is requested but not required.

*All month and all winter
* Free and in your backyard, at school, area businesses, or neighborhoods
Host a BTM winter web clipping event during Browntail Awareness Month.?

*Step Three
Always be learning about invasive pests threatening Maine?s trees and forests.*

Visit the Maine Forest Service webpage [ [link removed] ], explore the resources, and subscribe to news bulletin topics. During BTM Awareness Month, review and share news and events [ [link removed] ], FAQs [ [link removed] ], and management techniques [ [link removed] ]. Test the BTM interactive map [ [link removed] ] and read the latest research [ [link removed] ]. For business owners, municipal leaders, and arborists, Maine Forest Service strongly encourages using BTM-specific resources for towns and businesses [ [link removed] ].

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