Gypsy moth spraying project will be based in Decorah

The Decorah Airport will be the headquarters for a gypsy moth spraying effort later this month in Northeast Iowa.

State Entomologist Robin Pruisner says employees of the company hired to do the spraying will come to Decorah late on Sunday, June 26th.  They will then study weather conditions and flight plans for the next two or three days.  The spraying will be done over a wide portion of Northeast Iowa—as far away as Manchester.

State officials will use phermone flakes that confuse the male gypsy moths and prevent them from mating with the female moths.  The spraying uses tiny plastic flakes as a carrier for the phermone.

The cost of the spraying will be paid through federal funds.