Suppression Program Quarantines and Spray Programs

Wisconsin has two different gypsy moth spray programs with distinct objectives and operating procedures. These two programs are run by two different state agencies.

Which Program Serves Your County?

DATCP - Slow The Spread Program

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) runs the state’s Slow The Spread Program [exit DNR].

• The goal of DATCP’s Slow the Spread Program (STS) is to attack isolated, pioneering colonies of gypsy moth, west of the area where the pest is generally established, in an effort to reduce the rate of this pest’s expansion into new areas.
• DATCP determines the locations of their treatment sites (also called spray blocks) by closely monitoring gypsy moth populations west of Wisconsin’s quarantined counties. Where the data show that gypsy moth is emerging in isolated, pioneering populations, DATCP will spray to slow the spread of this pest.
• DATCP’s STS Program does not take requests from landowners or municipalities for spraying or input on where spraying will take place.

DNR Suppression Spray Program

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) runs the state’s Suppression Spray Program.

• The goal of DNR’s Suppression Program is to protect valuable trees from mortality by controlling gypsy moth population outbreaks in areas where the gypsy moth is established.
• The Suppression Program is a voluntary program, offered to counties experiencing gypsy moth populations at an outbreak level. To get treatment assistance from the DNR, a county must formally apply to the DNR’s Suppression Program on behalf of its municipalities and residents.
• Counties often make a decision about whether or not to participate in the DNR’s Suppression Program based on the amount of concern that is present in the area, the willingness of property owners to pay for the spray treatment, and the availability of volunteers to help with the administrative tasks involved in initiating and coordinating the program in the county.

Similarities Between Programs

• Both programs use naturally occurring soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (or BtK) applied by aerial spray.
• On sites with endangered species that would be affected by BtK, other gypsy moth specific treatments are used by both programs.
• To reduce expenses, both programs share the same aerial spray contractor.

For more information about Wisconsin’s gypsy moth quarantine and how it applies to you and the belongings you travel with from place to place, take a look at DATCP’s gypsy moth quarantine brochure [PDF, 123KB].