Gypsy moths are taking over in Guelph and many areas of Ontario. If you would like to do some research on gypsy moths and how invasive they are and what you can do to help combat it, check out this Ontario webpage: https://www.ontario.ca/page/gypsy-moth

But even though there are home remedies and things we can do as individuals, it really isn't enough. We now need help from the city in order to control these pests. Individual property owners could be seen spraying, scraping, collecting, etc. the larvae and the caterpillars last year and early this spring, but that is not enough. What if everyone doesn't do it! It will spread again the next year. These things aren't just targeting leafy trees anymore. As a new home owner, I've recently discovered many little nests in my pine tree! They are much to high up for me to even try and get to to scrape them off! These annoying little bugs make it difficult to go outside and enjoy our properties, which is one of the only things we are able to do in this pandemic. Even just sitting on your patio furniture for a few minutes and you've got them crawling all over you! They can also cause rashes and reactions due to their hairs. Alot of property owners are feeling the stress, not to mention the damage to our trees and natural beauty of Guelph as a whole. There is only so much we can do as individuals, especially if everyone is not taking the precautions or able to get rid of all the nests. 

The City of Guelph needs to step up and take action, like so many other municipalities are doing, and spray trees with the relevant biological agent(s) and/or insecticides to prevent this invasive species from killing our trees.

I urge you to sign the petition and share it with your neighbours and local residents of Guelph to encourage the City of Guelph to take action.

Other regions and municipalities that are spraying gypsy moths and protecting their trees and properties, and we need the City to step up and do the same before it's too late!