Aerial spongy moth management operations get underway in Pine County

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture began aerial spongy moth management operations in five counties — including Pine County — on July 16.

More than 4,600 acres of the Nemadji State Forest will be treated with a mating disruption product to prevent the spread of the invasive insect.

The product is not harmful to humans, animals, birds, or other insects.

According to the MDA, operations are scheduled to go through Friday, July 18, although the efforts may extend to July 22 in the event of poor weather.

The treatment will be applied by low-flying yellow planes contracted by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service in a joint project with the MDA.

The operations will begin as early as 6:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

Photo from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Facebook page