Property owners asked to leave spongy moth traps

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will set over 9,000 traps for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) in 2024. The traps will be placed in 44 counties, in western and central Wisconsin.

Traps began being placed in mid-May, and will continue to be placed through early July. The DATCP requests that property owners allow trapping staff to place traps on their land and to not disturb the traps once in place.

Spongy moth populations reached record levels in eastern Wisconsin last year, so increased detections of new populations are more likely. The data collected from these traps will help program managers to safely and efficiently limit population spread, before infestations become large enough to cause damage to trees.

Traps are small green boxes, tied or stapled to trees. The trap emits the scent of flightless female spongy moths, and is undetectable to humans and other insects. It is used to attract and catch adult male spongy moths.

Trapping staff will monitor set traps until male moths stop flying – usually around Labor Day – at which time, the traps will be removed. DATCP trappers are easily identifiable, wearing fluorescent vests and carrying identification.

Each trap is labeled with a phone number and QR code that property owners can utilize if they have questions, want to report a damaged trap or would like to request the trap be removed from their property.

For more information on spongy moth trapping, visit datcp.wi.gov.