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spongy moth aerial spraying
Nanaimo, BC – June 2024
Spring/summer of 2024, the government included 13 communities in their Spongy Moth Aerial Spraying program. Access 2024 schedule HERE. Permits for spring/summer 2025 will likely be issued end of February which is just around the corner.
What if your community is a part of the 2025 spring/summer treatment program? Check out the educational resources provided below so you can better understand this issue and sign up to BC Rising to receive future meeting invitations that will allow you to participate and discuss what to do next.
What does this mean for you?
The spray being used for this program is Foray 48B. If your community is chosen for the 2025 treatment program, planes will fly low over treatment areas which could include your home, gardens, backyards, parks, playground equipment, businesses, schools, rivers, pets and native insects, etc.
When the spraying takes place, the Ministry of Forests advises all residents to stay indoors during spraying with windows and doors closed. If the product is safe, why is this necessary? What about our homeless population? How will those travelling to work/school or working outdoors be impacted? Does staying indoors completely stop exposure? Read more
Does Foray 48B impact local ecosystems and community health?
This method of pesticide application is outdated, is not accepted by many private property owners, and could be replaced with safer methods. While controlling the Spongy Moth population is important for preserving our trees, it’s crucial that we consider alternative methods that are less harmful to other species and ourselves. Some communities use traps, hand removal of eggs and spot control using insecticides. Could we work with residents and local organizations to apply these less invasive measures instead? Read more
FORAY 48B IS BEING PROMOTED AS SAFE, BUT IS IT?
Access Foray 48 Fact Sheet sheet HERE
Ideas for Current Actions
- Email BC Ministry of Forests, Tim Ebata: flnrgypsymothinfo@gov.bc.ca
- Email BC Environment Climate office: ENVCIA@gov.bc.ca
- Email BC Local MLA: _________________________
- Email Local Mayor: _________________________
- Email Dr. Tynan, M.D. at communitiesunitedforcleanair@gmail.com to join other community efforts.
- Sign the BC Petition: Change.ORG – Delay and Reconsider BC Spongy/Gypsy Moth Spraying
- Share this information with your neighbours.
2024 Petition – Access HERE
BC Organizations and Groups
- CallToActionCranbrook.com – References, letters, and actions to help find solutions – all can be applicable to other locations.
- CRECweb.com/pesticides – Links to many reports, documents and letters in regards to pesticides including Foray 48B
- Kelowna Citizens Safety Association – KCSA
- Communities United for Clean Air – CUFCA
Spongy Moth Spraying References
Detailed History of Spraying in BC (1979-2023) – Access HERE
Spongy Moth Detections in BC Communities – Access HERE
BC Government 2024 Spring/Summer Treatment Schedule – Access HERE
What is Btk? – Access HERE
Foray 48B Label – Access HERE
- July 1995 – Society Targeting Overuse of Pesticides – Case Against Moth Spraying – Read HERE
- April 1997 – Society Targeting Overuse of Pesticides – Case Against Moth Spraying – Read HERE
- 1999 – Human Health Surveillance During the Aerial Spraying for Control of North American Gypsy Moth on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 1999 – Read HERE
Peer-reviewed Papers
Identification of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain HD1-Like bacteria from environmental and human samples after aerial spraying of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with Foray 48B – Read HERE
Shows increase in the Btk bacteria in humans
Occurrence of natural Bacillus thuringiensis contaminants and residues of Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides on fresh fruits and vegetables – Read HERE
Quote: “The present study strongly indicates that residues of B. thuringiensis-based insecticides can be found on fresh fruits and vegetables and that these are potentially enterotoxigenic”. Enterotoxic means a toxin produced by bacteria that is specific for intestinal cells; causes vomiting and diarrhea associated with food poisoning. A cytotoxin specific for the cells of the intestinal mucosa.
Health Canada Injury Reporting from Foray 48B Spraying
Access Reports HERE
Three examples of the many included in the above report:
1) 2015-04-17 Aerial spraying. Husband sprayed directly trying to get to the car to go to work. 2015-04-30 Aerial spraying. Husband sprayed directly just trying to get to the car to go to work. 2015-05-01 Husband sprayed directly again just trying to get to the car to go to work. He has a headache and upset stomach over two days.
2) 2015-04-27 Woke up unable to control my eyes, they kept shooting to the right, both of them. Took a few minutes to gain control. So out of the ordinary, remarked to my husband on how strange it was. Continued with previous symptoms but now problems in lungs, bronchitis. A lot of trouble breathing. 2015-04-28 Feel like I’m suffocating. Had previous prescription for inhalers. Too sick to walk to pharmacy a short few blocks away, husband filled prescription for inhalers for asthma, bronchitis.
3) 2015-05-09 Aerial spraying repeated low level and high level. Spray haze hanging in the air for hours – looks like fog. Helicopters repeatedly spraying homes, land. So much spray on car windows, couldn’t see out. Had to wash off before driving. Air reeks of chemicals. 2015-05-09 Realized the spraying would take place over the (name) Flea Market on one of their busiest days of the year – Mothers day. The Flea Market opens at 4:00am to vendors, set up from 4:00 am to the opening to the general public at 6:00am. I attempted to contact the city (name) and provincial government contacts to stop the spraying on Sunday. No response from anyone.
- Health Canada – Many Incidents Reports On Site
- Health Canada – Log of Dates/Incidents Summary
- CREC – Concerns and details and evidence (no links exist anymore) against the spray
- Courtenay Letter – Concerns and evidence of spraying from Gov’t
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