Map of areas to be aerially treated for spruce budworms                       map courtesy BC Gov

Williams Lake, BC – Aerial spraying will begin today in a bid to reduce western spruce budworm populations in the Cariboo…

Between today and July 5th, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources plans to aerially treat 34-thousand hectares of forest in the Williams Lake and 100 Mile House Timber Supply Areas.

Although the western spruce budworm is native to BC and the Pacific Northwest, an outbreak has the potential to seriously harm or kill trees over a large area as the worm munches through Douglas-fir, true firs, spruce and larch trees in its larval stage.

The ministry will used two fixed-wing aircraft to apply the biological agent, Foray 48B, on sites near White Lake, Fletcher Lake, Big Creek, Gaspard Creek, Alex Lake, Westwick Lake, along with San José and Pipeline roads south of Williams Lake.  As well as Big Lake, Clink Lake, Alberta Lake, Big Bar Lake, and Jesmond in the 100 Mile House TSA.  According to the ministry, the spray only affects moth and butterfly larvae and can be used safely around humans, other animals, and beneficial insects (including honey bees).