Today, Mississauga City Council endorsed the enactment of a Public Nuisance By-law in response to Mississauga's Gypsy Moth infestation and directed staff to engage in control measures as outlined in the City's Gypsy Moth Control Plan corporate report.

In addition, City staff announced to City Council that the Gypsy Moth control program was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Tree Canada Foundation to assist with the Gypsy Moth Control Program's communication initiatives.

"The City of Mississauga has gone through a lengthy approval and notification process with regards to the Gypsy Moth aerial spray program," said Urban Forestry Manager Tony Fleischmann.  "With Council's public nuisance by-law endorsement today, and Transport Canadaŭs recent approval, the City now has all necessary approvals, and is ready to begin the Gypsy Moth Control Program, which includes aerial spraying."

In addition, the City has received the green light from all other regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of the Environment, Peel Regional Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Details of Mississauga's Gypsy Moth Control Plan include:

• The aerial spraying of 11 zones using two to three applications of the bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk).
• Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) controls in all areas of Mississauga where significant numbers of Gypsy Moth egg masses were recorded.
• A total of 498 hectares, which equals less than one per cent of Mississauga's total land mass, will be sprayed with Btk.
• Mississauga's current level of Gypsy Moth infestation if left untreated, would lead to the devastation of the natural environment in the City, the defoliation of thousands of trees and residents in affected areas would be in daily contact with the masses of caterpillars, affecting their ability to walk to their cars, use their backyards and their neighbourhoods.
• The Municipal Act authorizes that Council may declare a matter to be a public nuisance and its decision, as long as it is arrived at in good faith, is not subject to challenge.  In addition, the act also allows Council to regulate matters not provided for by the act or other legislation in relation to the health, safety and well-being of residents. 

For more information about Mississauga's Gypsy Moth Treatment Plan, property owners are encouraged to visit www.mississauga.ca/pestmanagement, call the Gypsy Moth information hotline at 905-615-3200, ext. 7878, or e-mail gypsy.moth@mississauga.ca.  

Mississauga is Canada's sixth largest city with a population of more than 700,000. With well-established infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, the City delivers quality municipal programs and services to its citizens.  Mississauga is recognized as Canada's safest city.

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2006 Gypsy Moth Program - Reports

2006 Gypsy Moth Program - Media Releases