June 13, 2004

Regarding the spraying... I am very pleased with the results. The effect was very noticeable and untreated areas such as the village went through what we experienced in '03. My hopes are that the population for next year will be radically reduced because we caught the “worms” in time to interrupt their life cycle. If that is true, and we are at second or possibly third year of the invasion, then the problem has been successfully dealt with and it will be another 20 years before another occurrence.

Some defoliation did occur, but that was a result of weather and mechanics of the treatment. It is also obvious that a number of trees have fallen victim to the combination of microburst/ icestorm/ drought and caterpillar series of events. Residents should consider harvesting those trees that no longer exhibit signs of life to avoid damage if they fall and to create an opportunity for new growth.

Email message from Gale Ferguson

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June 1, 2004

I am so thrilled that I can walk on the lake road, plant my flowers, hang clothes out and sit on my deck. I think the BT really worked. Thanks to everyone who made it possible.

Email message from Jeanette Perry

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May 27, 2004

I looked over the caterpillar situation at noon and 6 p.m. today after this morning's application of BT. It appears that the worms that are on leaves are less active - it may be working! Those on metal or wood were quite mobile, but they have to eat at some point... so let's hope tonight's rain doesn't dilute the BT.

Check out the attached photo of the railroad tracks on my camp road. I'm not sure that the spraying reached this area but it was really weird. Thousand and thousands of caterpillars were traversing the rails -the really interesting part was that the majority of those on the east rail were headed in one direction and those on west rail were headed in the opposite direction!

Email message from Gale Ferguson