Gypsy Moths

ANNUAL GYPSY MOTH EGG MASS SURVEY

The City of Rochester Hills annual gypsy moth egg mass survey which begins in October and continues until the end of the year.

Survey sites consist of individual trees at approximately 300 locations throughout the city.  Most of the survey sites were established previously and have a small yellow or white tag attached to the trees.  New survey sites, and those previously established but with missing tags, will have new tags affixed.  The presence of a survey site does not necessarily mean that gypsy moth has been found.

Survey sites are located on public and private property.  Nothing will be done that will damage trees.  Persons conducting the survey will only be counting egg masses.  Citizens are asked to allow surveyors to count egg masses and not disturb the survey tags.  The population data that is obtained will be used to make decisions regarding the following year's gypsy moth suppression program. 

Our woodland areas are valuable assets to our community.  Citizens can help in the city's effort to protect trees from serious defoliation and to reduce the nuisance that high population of gypsy moths can cause.  In the spring (just before gypsy moth eggs hatch in early May) citizens should remove and destroy any egg masses they find within arm's reach of the ground.  Leaving egg masses in place until May 1 provides an opportunity for egg parasites to multiply.  Destroy egg masses by burying in several inches of soil, burning, or immersing in soapy water for 48 hours.  Eliminating egg masses, each of which can produce hundreds of caterpillars, is an important part of the community gypsy moth suppression effort.

If you suspect that gypsy moth egg masses are present in your area and want advice or assistance, please contact the Forestry Division at 248-656-4673.