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The IFP - Halton Hills | Thursday, June 30, 2022 | 34 theifp.ca REGISTER TODAY TO JOIN THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE Children ¢ prizes to be won! To get started, scan the QR code or visit: www. hhpl.on.ca/sre to learn more. HALTON HILLS PUBLIC LIBRARY Imagination | Innovation | Opportunity spiecies causes to trees. The Town of Halton Hills is offering burlap spongy moth kits to help limit the damage the invasive owew za to Chris Simon/Metroland TOWN OFFERING SPONGY MOTH KITS TO RESIDENTS The Town of Halton Hills is offering free spongy moth Mats. to pelp residents _ protec! against the invasive ve cies. WHAT HARM DO SPONGY MOTHS CAUSE? Spongy moths, (Lyman- tria dispar dispar), damage trees by eating larg amounts of leaves in their larvae (caterpillar) stage Whe! tree loses reaves over several years, it weak- ens the tree by making it more vulnerable to dis- ease. The caterpillar feeds on all species of oak trees as well as poplar, birch, low, maple beech and cher- ry trees. If a supply of de- ciduous leaves is not avail- able, they will feed on co- niferous trees, such as hemlock, pine and Spruce or ornament WHY IS ITA sini Tals YEAR? The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says southern Ontario isin an area experiencing a spongy moth outbreak In most years, birds keep the population in check. Because of a large amount of egg masses in 2021, there are too many for these natural controls to limit the population of cat- erpillars. HOW THE KITS WORK When the caterpillars grow to about 2.5cm in length, they wil move wn the trunk seek sir from retiators and urlap cloth Meat around the trunk of the tree and folded over. The caterpillars will seek shelter under the folded burlap and the scraped into a bucket “ soapy water. Gloves should be work since the caterpil- Jar hai cause skin ir- ritation or allergies. WHERE CAN YOU GET KITS? Kits are available while supplies last as part of a town. pilot project. The bur- ations Centre at 11620 Tra- falgar from Monday to Fri- day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.