Spongy Moth News

2023 Salt Spring Island Monitoring

First detected in 2021 near Vesuvias, monitoring in 2022 revealed that the establishing spongy moth population has grown and spread on Salt Spring Island. The Spongy Moth Technical Advisory Committee has recommended that a high-density monitoring program be implemented in 2023.

Join members of the Spongy Moth Technical Advisory Committee for an in-person information session:

  • When: Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Where: Fulford Community Hall (2591 Fulford-Ganges Road)

Experts will provide program information and answer questions about spongy moth, the 2023 monitoring program and eradication objectives.

2023 Aerial Spray Program:

Updated May 31:

The third and final treatment for Courtenay was completed on May 31 at 6:53 am, and Dove Creek was completed at 8:00 am. Dove Creek was finished earlier than expected and will not require a second day for the third treatment.

The third and final treatment for Campbell River was completed on May 30 at 7:02 am.

The 2023 spongy moth eradication program is now complete. The Ministry and Spongy Moth Technical Advisory Committee would like to thank everyone that supported this important program. Program results will be posted in November 2023, following the 2023 summer monitoring program.

Updated May 29:

The third and final aerial spray treatments were completed for Port Alberni on May 29 at 6:30 am. The 2023 eradication program for Port Alberni, Belmont, View Royal and Esquimalt are now complete.

The remaining third and final round of aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • Campbell River: May 30
  • Dove Creek: May 31 & June 1
  • City of Courtenay: May 31

Residents within the treatment areas are encouraged to stay indoors with doors and windows closed during spraying and for 30 minutes following spraying.

To report any adverse health incidents following a treatment, please contact your doctor or call Healthlink B.C. at 8-1-1. Public health officials have a duty to report any significant adverse human health incidents to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Updated May 28:

The third and final aerial spray treatments were completed for View Royal and Esquimalt on May 28 at 7:19 am. The 2023 eradication program for the greater-Victoria area is now complete.

The third and final aerial spray treatment for Port Alberni was partially completed on May 28 and is scheduled to be completed on May 29.

The remaining third and final round of aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • Campbell River: May 30
  • Dove Creek: May 31 & June 1
  • City of Courtenay: May 31

Updated May 26:

The second aerial spray treatments were completed for Dove Creek and Belmont on May 26. Please note this is the final treatment for Belmont.

The third and final round of aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: May 27 & May 28
  • Port Alberni: May 28 & May 29
  • Campbell River: May 30
  • Dove Creek: May 31 & June 1
  • City of Courtenay: May 31

Residents within the treatment areas are encouraged to stay indoors with doors and windows closed during spraying and for 30 minutes following spraying. Please note that residents outside of the treatment areas and buffer zones may hear the low flying aircraft. Flight paths are determined by Transport Canada.

To report any adverse health incidents following a treatment, please contact your doctor or call Healthlink B.C. at 8-1-1. Public health officials have a duty to report any significant adverse human health incidents to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Updated May 25:

The third and final round of aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • Belmont: May 26 (second and final spray)
  • View Royal & Esquimalt: May 27 & May 28
  • Port Alberni: May 28 & May 29
  • Campbell River: May 30
  • Dove Creek: May 31 & June 1
  • City of Courtenay: May 31

Updated May 22:

The second aerial treatment for Port Alberni was only partially completed on May 22 due to light rain. Only a small portion of the treatment area was not treated and it will not be completed.

Due to heavy winds forecasted for the next 48 hours, the second treatment for Belmont is rescheduled for May 26 and will be the final treatment.

The remaining second treatments are scheduled for:

  • Campbell River: May 24
  • Dove Creek: May 25 & May 26
  • City of Courtenay: May 25

 The third and final aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: May 27 & May 28
  • Belmont: canceled
  • Port Alberni: May 28 & May 29
  • Campbell River: May 30
  • Dove Creek: May 31 & June 1
  • City of Courtenay: May 31

Residents within the treatment areas are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying and for 30 minutes following spraying, with doors and windows closed, to minimize their exposure.

To report any adverse health incidents following a treatment, please contact your doctor or call Healthlink B.C. at 8-1-1. Public health officials have a duty to report any significant adverse human health incidents to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Updated May 21:

Due to high winds the second aerial spray treatment for Belmont was canceled this morning and has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 24.

Port Alberni was partially treated on this morning and will be completed on May 22.

The second treatments for View Royal and Esquimalt were completed on May 20th.

The second treatments for Campbell River, Dove Creek and City of Courtenay have be rescheduled due to high wind forecasts for Tuesday and have been rescheduled:

  • Campbell River: May 24
  • Dove Creek: May 25 & May 26
  • City of Courtenay: May 25

Updated May 18:

The first of three aerial spray treatments have been completed. The second (of three) aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: May 19 and May 20
  • Belmont: May 21
  • Port Alberni: May 21 and May 22
  • Dove Creek: May 22 and May 23
  • Campbell River: May 23
  • City of Courtenay: May 24

Please note that a single treatment can take up to two mornings to complete and treatments can be postponed and rescheduled with short notice due to weather. All treatments will occur between first light and 7:30 am in populated areas and 8:30 am in rural areas.

Residents within the treatment areas are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying and for 30 minutes following spraying, with doors and windows closed, to minimize their exposure.

To report any adverse health incidents following a treatment, please contact your doctor or call Healthlink B.C. at 8-1-1. Public health officials have a duty to report any significant adverse human health incidents to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Updated May 17:

First aerial spray treatments have been completed or scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: completed May 13th
  • Belmont: completed May 15
  • Campbell River: partial completion May 13; scheduled completion May 18
  • Port Alberni: completed May 16
  • Dove Creek: completed May 17
  • City of Courtenay: completed May 17

The second (of three) aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: May 19 and May 20
  • Belmont: May 21
  • Port Alberni: May 21 and May 22
  • Dove Creek: May 22 and May 23
  • Campbell River: May 23
  • City of Courtenay: May 24

Updated May 16:

First aerial spray treatments have been completed or scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: completed May 13th
  • Belmont: completed May 15
  • Campbell River: partial completion May 13; scheduled completion May 18
  • Port Alberni: completed May 16
  • Dove Creek: partial completion May 16; scheduled completion May 17
  • City of Courtenay: May 17

Updated May 15:

First aerial spray treatments have been completed or scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: completed May 13th
  • Belmont: completed May 15
  • Campbell River: partial completion May 13; scheduled completion May 18
  • Port Alberni: partial completion May 15; scheduled completion May 16
  • Dove Creek: May 16 and May 17
  • City of Courtenay: May 17

The second (of three) aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • View Royal & Esquimalt: May 19 and May 20
  • Belmont: May 21
  • Port Alberni: May 21 and May 22
  • Dove Creek: May 22 and May 23
  • Campbell River: May 23
  • City of Courtenay: May 24

Updated May 13:

Aerial treatment of View Royal & Esquimalt were completed on May 13 at 7:30 am. Due to mechanical issues, Campbell River spraying commenced at 6:45 am and stopped at 7:30 am. Only the east side of the treatment area was completed and the remainder of the treatment area will be completed on May 18.

The remaining first aerial treatments are scheduled for:

  • Belmont (Colwood): May 15
  • Campbell River: May 18 completion
  • Port Alberni: May 15 and May 16
  • City of Courtenay: May 17
  • Courtenay - Dove Creek: May 16 and May 17

Updated May 12:

Please note that Belmont and City of Courtenay spray dates have been changed for the first scheduled treatments:

  • Belmont (Colwood): May 15
  • Campbell River: May 13
  • Port Alberni: May 15 and May 16
  • City of Courtenay: May 17
  • Courtenay - Dove Creek: May 16 and May 17

2023 Aerial Spray Program

The first aerial spray treatment for View Royal and Esquimalt was partially completed on May 12 and the remaining area will be completed on May 13. Please refresh your browser to ensure you are able to view recent updates to this page.

The first aerial spray treatments are scheduled for:

  • View Royal and Esquimalt: May 13 (completion)
  • Belmont (Colwood): May 14
  • Campbell River: May 13
  • Port Alberni: May 15 and May 16
  • City of Courtenay: May 15
  • Courtenay - Dove Creek: May 16 and May 17

Each area will be treated three times and treatments typically occur 7 - 10 days apart. Please note that a single treatment can take up to two mornings to complete and treatments can be postponed and rescheduled with short notice due to weather. All treatments will occur between first light and 7:30 am in populated areas and 8:30 am in rural areas.

Residents within the treatment areas are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying and for 30 minutes following spraying, with doors and windows, closed to minimize their exposure.

To receive automated program updates, including notifications of spray dates and when sprays are completed or postponed, subscribe to this web page (right column box).

To report any adverse health incidents following a treatment, please contact your doctor or call Healthlink B.C. at 8-1-1. Public health officials have a duty to report any significant adverse human health incidents to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Order in Council Issued

On the recommendation of the Lieutenant Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, the Lymantria Moth Eradication Regulation (B.C. Reg. 100/2022) has been amended and an Order in Council to complete aerial spraying on Vancouver Island has been issues: OIC_257-2023_April24_2023.PDF

2023 Pesticide Use Permits Issued

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has issued Pesticide Use Permits for the 2023 spongy moth aerial eradication program under the provisions of the Integrated Pest Management Act:

This decision may be appealed to the Environmental Appeal Board in accordance with Section 14 of the Integrated Pest Management Act. An appeal must be delivered within 30 days from March 13, 2023. For further information, please contact the Environmental Appeal Board at 250-387-3464.

2023 Pesticide Use Permit Applications

The comment period for the Pesticide Use Permit Applications closed on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is currently reviewing the applications.

Pesticide Use Permit Applications and treatment area maps:

2023 Spongy Moth Virtual Open Houses

Virtual open house sessions were held on Monday, January 23rd and Tuesday, January 24th. A recording of the presentations can be viewed at: Spongy_Moth_Virtual_Open_House_2023.mp4

You can also view the program overview PDF PowerPoint presentations:

2023 Spongy Moth Program Announcement

Trapping and monitoring results from 2022 indicate spongy moth populations are establishing on Vancouver Island and require eradication. Seven aerial sprays are required to eradicate this non-native, invasive species. Aerial spraying will be completed in the following areas.

Other News items on this page: 

2022 trapping results

Pheromone trapping to detect male spongy moths in B.C. was completed for 2022 and the results are posted with maps on our detection history page. Three-hundred and thirty (330) male moths were caught in many locations on Southern British Columbia.  Several sites were identified for eradication treatments in Spring 2023, however only seven sites will be aerially treated to prevent the insect’s establishment in those high priority areas.

2022 Spongy Moth Treatment Programs Completed

The final application occurred in Lake Cowichan on June 21st thereby ending eradication treatments for ALL areas for this year. The next stage in the ongoing process is to monitor and assess trapping results over the summer and by late fall, determine if this year's efforts were successful and if treatments will be required in 2023. Updates will be provided following this assessment and any treatment decisions will be announced on this web page. 

Gypsy Moth Common Name Update - February 2022

The Ministry will no longer be using the former common name (gypsy moth) for Lymantria dispar and will be referring to this moth as Lymantria moth during this year's treatment program.  Recently, the Entomological Society of America and Entomological Society of Canada announced that the new common name will be the "spongy moth". The Ministry is working to update the current Lymantria moth website with the newly adopted common name.

Green Waste Information for Surrey & Delta Residents

Help Keep B.C. Lymantria Moth Free! Lymantria Moth has been located and is under eradication in Surrey . You can help prevent Lymantria Moth from establishing permanently in B.C. by inspecting your outdoor plant waste for egg masses and ensuring all green waste goes in your green bin.

If you are a resident of Surrey and have large green waste items that do not fit inside your green waste bin, call the City of Surrey Waste Collection Hotline at 604-590-7289. If you are a resident of Delta, ensure that all green waste is contained in green cans or kraft paper bags. Delta residents can drop off large quantities of green waste, free of charge, at Enviro-Smart Organics (4295 72 Street).