Last summer we put together a meeting of about 10 people
interested in helping with a gypsy moth survey of the
ranch. A cold autumn and early snows prevented
completion of the survey of the workers but from the info
accumulated by the volunteers we can assume that the
infestation on the the ranch is spotty and heavy in
localized areas. Numbers were low in the south end
especially down Dossett where they were high the year
before. Other areas showed some higher and very high
infestation. Overall, the ranch is not infested heavy
enough over all to warrant aerial spraying especially since
the cost of spraying quoted can be up to 4 times the cost
of last time we sprayed.
In talking to the biologists for the forest for the DNR the
spring and summer we had last year - cool and wet - are
very helpful to the 3 natural predators of the gypsy moth.
Because of that we should see a decline in the number of
moths naturally this year. There is a virus, a bacteria
and a mold that all kill the caterpillars. If you see them
dead hanging on your trees leave them there as the winds
spread the spores from the dead caterpillars and will kill
more caterpillars’.
Going forward what we recommend for this year:
1. It is not too late to get out there and scrape the egg
masses off your buildings and trees. Look under all
decorations on your house, inside bird houses etc. and
under all things around your house. Scrape the egg
masses off and into a zipper bag and put in garbage or
burn the eggs in a fire.
2. Put up tanglefoot on your trees now, especially if the
trees were hit heavy last year.
Gypsy Moth Update
15
3. Kill all caterpillars that are gypsy moth caterpillars
when you see them in May and June. Look online to see
what the caterpillars look like.
4. Caterpillars hatch when the trees leaf out. Before that
happens, you can put up a collection band which is like a
folded over skirt on the trees. The caterpillars come down
int the heat of the day and when they climb back up the
tree they get caught in the skirt and then you can kill
them. You must be vigilant about checking for them. I
would do this on heavily infested trees. You tube video
available. I would do this especially if you did not put up
tanglefoot.
5. Mating disruption. There are traps that you can buy
online to trap the moths. They work by using a pheromone
(fair moan) to attract the moths in the summer. They work!
The moth flies into the trap looking for the female giving
off the pheromone and gets wet in soapy water and dies.
Empty the dead moths and water and refill with more
soapy water. The pheromone is still good. If you had heavy
infestation around your cabin or camper this is the ticket!
When you see a bunch of moths flying in one area it is a
dead giveaway there is a female there somewhere.
Females are white and do not fly. They only crawl. These
traps should be put out when the caterpillars are big just
before they go into cocoon. The cocoons will hatch in late
June and you will start seeing the moths fly in July.
If we are vigilant, we can make a difference on our ranch
and not have to spend a lot of money to spray especially if
mother nature helps with another cool damp spring.
2020 Monthly CCR Incident Occurrence / Event Log
Incident/Activity Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total
Warning of Violation of Ranch Rules and Regulations 0
Member Violation of Ranch Rules or Regulations with IR Filed 0
Guest Violation of Ranch Rules or Regulations with IR Filed 0
Other Emergency or Incident on CCR Property 1 1
Poaching 0
Investigation of Unauthorized Persons Trespassing on CCR Property 0
Controversy Between Members 0
Vandalism 0
Larceny 0
Speeding on Ranch Roads and/or Careless Driving Investigation 0
Check Security of Key CCR Buildings and Equipment 24 27 19 16 86
Perimeter Fence / Gates / Hunting Area Patrol 2 3 2 13 20
Ambulance Call 3 3 4 10
Fire Call 0
Law Enforcement Call 0
Motorized Vehicle Accident 0
Animal Nuisance 0
Baiting / Feeding Investigation
Total 29 34 25 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 117
Updated: May 7, 2020
RANCH FIRE PIT POLICY
Fire pits must have the following characteristics to be safe (8/2018):
1. No combustible material within four feet (4’) of the fire ring.
2. Must be surrounded by a non-combustible material
(i.e. concrete, rocks, fire ring, etc.)
3. No burning of yard brush, leaves, trash, lawn cuttings,
building materials or chemicals.
4. Must have water source available.
5. Fires can not be left unattended.
6. Flames are not to exceed 24 inches in height.
7. Members and guests assume all liability for any damages
that their fire may cause.