Hamilton city staff recommends spending $450,000 to spray Btk, a naturally occurring, soil borne bacteria to halt the gypsy moth infestation.

Btk works in the digestive system of the larvae and it has minimal effects on humans, say city officials.

Bryan Shynal, director of operations and maintenance, said if councillors approve the spraying program at their March 31 meeting, aerial spraying will begin in the first week in May. Two applications are needed and they will be completed within a 10 to 14 day time frame, he said.

Properly kill

Spraying has to be done in the spring to properly kill the moths. If not, the insects become more difficult to kill and tougher pesticides are needed.

The city is partnering with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the city of Oakville and Halton Region for their spraying program. The HCA last week approved spraying their properties in Dundas and Ancaster last week at a cost of about $60,000.

HCA officials said last year large amounts of egg masses, and severe defoliated trees had been found in Ancaster, Dundas and Greensville.

Other areas that were hit hard last year were in west Hamilton, Scenic Drive, and the Upper Ottawa and Stone Church Road areas. In some private areas in Ancaster last year, spraying did take place. City staff suggest if Hamilton starts spraying, private property owners may be contacted to help defray the cos.

In 2006 Mississauga spent $395,000 for spraying and $275,000 to spray for gypsy moths. Toronto spent about $140,000 in 2007.

"This is not an easy issue," said Mountain councillor Tom Jackson. "You will get angst in the community."

Any spraying that is authorized will not violate the city's recently approved new pesticide bylaw, said public health officials. The bylaw does not go into effect until September 2008.

Robert Hall, director of the city's health protection branch of Public Health, said spraying for infestations is exempt from the pesticide bylaw.

"(Spraying) does not present an adverse health affect," Mr. Hall told councillors.

Mr. Shynal said the public has until March 31 to submit its comments to the city about possible spraying by the city. Residents can also appear before the public works committee on March 31 to talk about their views on spraying.

Still, some councillors seemed to have made up their minds about spraying to prevent further deforestation.

"We have to do it, especially with the summer drought conditions," said Dundas councillor Russ Powers. "The trees are stressed. We want to keep the trees there."

Gypsy moths infestation reached "outbreak levels" in certain areas of Hamilton in 2007, said city staff. Parts of the city last year suffered devastating tree losses.