Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / April 14, 1994, edition 1 / Page 12
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I ?" <v* i * T . STAFF mOTO BY ERIC CAKISON A CROP-DUSTER makes a low pass across the marshes of Holden Beach Saturday morning as agri cultural experts began the most extensive aerial pesticide spraying program in the state 's history, aimed at eradicating an infestation of Asian Gypsy moths. First Round Of Moth Spraying Should Be Complete By Sunday BY ERIC CARLSON It looked like a scene from an old World War II movie as fast-moving, propeller driven airplanes dove in for tree-top strafing runs across thousands of Brunswick County acres this week. Round one in the state's fight to knock out an infestation of leaf-eat ing Asian gypsy moths is expected to end Sunday, with hardly a pause before the planes return for a second application of pesticide. By late Tuesday, the planes had treated all of Ocean Isle Beach. Holden Beach, Sunny Point, Boiling Spring Lakes and most of the area between Bolivia and the Sunny Point railroad tracks, said Ken Still well. a N.C. Department of Agri culture plant protection specialist. Early fog delayed operations Tuesday morning, allowing only about two hours of spraying. Still well said. Members of the Gypsy Moth Management Team felt the threat of rain from an approaching cold front also could delay spraying Wednesday. Still, experts hoped to move toward Southport, Oak Island and the west bank of the Cape Fear River Thursday and to finish the first application of insecticide by Sunday. The second round of spraying will begin immediately after the first, and in roughly the same order. Stil Iwell said. Day-to-day target areas will depend on the weather. Residents can call a Ciypsy Moth Hotline at 1-8(M)-449-9(K)7 for the latest update on the spraying sched ule. During business hours, mem bers of the management team will be available to answer questions. At night, a recorded message will list the areas proposed for spraying the following day. Callers may leave a telephone number if they wish to re ceive a return call. Stillwell said that as of Tuesday about 2(K) to 300 people had called the hotline. Nearly all the calls were from people asking about the spray schedule. "Most folks want to know when we're going to spray in their area," Stillwcll said. "We've had no major problems and very few complaints." Nearly all of the 13(),()00-acre treatment area is being sprayed with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). a natu rally occurring bacterium commonly available in plant stores garden cen ters under the trade names "Worm Whipper" and "Dipel." On 4,(XK) acres where scientists feel that Bt could harm rare or fragile species, an insect virus called Gypchek is be ing applied. Both pesticides only affect moths and butterflies and are not consid ered harmful to other insects, birds or mammals. The goal of the program is to coat the leaves that provide food for gyp sy moth caterpillars shortly after they hatch. A second spray applica tion is planned to kill those that emerge late from their egg masses. State and federal agriculture offi cials launched the most extensive aerial spraying program in North Carolina history after Asian gypsy moths were found on a ship docked at the Sunny Point military ammuni tion terminal last summer. Considered to be one of the most damaging plant pests known, an in festation of gypsy moth caterpillars can completely strip trees of their leaves, causing serious damage to woodlands. OUR APRIL SUPER SAVER ONLY. $097 32-Gal. Refuse Container Tight fitting lid, molded handles. (2894) Colors may vary m ?ffiSF SOMERSETT'S HARDWARE Open Mon Sal 7 AM 6 PM. Su?.10-5 PM, Hwy 904 East, Gfissettown, 579-6006 Workers Sought To Heip Set Gypsy Moth Traps State and federal agriculture offi cials need help in setting gypsy moth traps along a 1,600-squarc-mile area in southeastern North Carolina and a small section of South Carolina. Trappers arc placing about 40,000 traps from North Myrtle Beech In South Carolina to Topsail Island in North Carolina. The traps will help officials gauge the effectiveness of a moth treatment program launched April 8. The N.C. Department of Agri culture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture started spraying Friday in Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The agencies have hired 45 peo ple and will hire about 15 more, ac cording to Bill Dickerson. an NCDA plant pest administrator who is over seeing the eradication project. "We're looking for people who don't mind working in the wood:," Dickerson said. Trap placement was initiated today. Officiois are asking residents to help keep the traps oper r ational. The orange- or green-colored traps, which are about 8 inches long and 5 inches high, contain a female sex phermonone which attracts male gypsy moths, he said. "The purpose of the trap is to de tect any residual population after this treatment is finished," Dick erson said. Most of the workers hired will work in Brunswick County, al though a few more are needed in New Hanover and Pender counties, according to Dickerson. Those interested in applying for a position need their own transporta tion, preferably a four-wheel-drive vehicle. They should call 1-800-449 9007. People seeking information about spray schedules can also call the toll-free number. Meanwhile, workers had treated approximately 54,000 acrcs as of Monday afternoon. The strain of gypsy moth found in New Hanover and Brunsvick coun tics is of particular concern to scien tists because Ihe adult female (lies, which leads to a broader dispersal of eggs. The infestation consists of a European-Asian cross-strain and the Asian gypsy moth. ALL STAR FLAGS 1-800-868-FLAG Flags ? Banners Pennants Holiday Flags & Banners Residential & Commercial Flagpoles Installation, too. FREE Catalog & Delivery 101 Aviators Lane mhhi SZ3 Burgaw, NC 28425 Catherine Moore, Owner THE UNSINKABLE BOAT can Ron Taylor at: 1-800-545-2293 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Hewett^ to expand iiiTht^iutii? u* ;i\\<\ ' ^ ^ ^ ^ all agenda senior high schools after he becomes Sheriff. combat drug trafficking. Ronald Hewett also wants the opportunity Electing Ronald Hewett Sheriff will send a to make a name for himself as Brunswick warning to drug dealers to get out and stay County Sheriff. He has the background, the out of Brunswick County. education? the leadership ability and Whether it's in the classroom, the courtroom or integrity to run the entire Sheriff's on the streets, you can depend on Ronald Hewett department in the same kind of professional to be tough on those who try to sell drugs. ?a* 55 FREE FISH FRY & HOT DOGS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT! Azalea Brunswick Columbus Cloggers Local Beauty Queens & Other Talent! SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 4:30 P.M. TOWN CREEK PARK US 17 IN WINNABOW All Are Welcome To This Rally TT ?sheriff PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT RONALD E HEWETT SHERIFF, ALBERT PARKER, TREASURER ?'??< the Brunswick beacon
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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April 14, 1994, edition 1
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