City spraying 4,000 acres of forest land to combat near-epidemic moth infestation

The Pikes Peak region is dealing with a near-epidemic infestation of moths. To combat the problem, the city is spraying forest land over the next week. Residential homes will not be affected.

“We really saw the big explosion last year in 2015 which is what prompted us to do treatment this year,” said Jay Hein, city forester.

Last summer, an increased 3,000 acres of trees were destroyed by two types of moths; the Douglas-fir tussock moth and western spruce bud worm.

“Both species of moths are known as defoliators. They will actually eat the needles of the tree to completely defoliate them and eventually what happens in severe cases for multiple years it’ll end up killing the trees,” said Hein.

In order to protect the forests, the City of Colorado Springs’ Forestry Division is using a treatment called biocide to spray the trees. In about a week, they’ll use approximately 4,000 gallons of it.

Some are concerned the pesticide is hazardous, but the city ensures it’s safe.

“The pesticide that we’re using is called BTK. It’s a biocide completely harmless to people and animals. We’re spraying it at a rate of a half-gallon a acre, so very micro fine droplets,” said Hein.

The treatment will take place over seven to 10 days.

North Cheyenne Canyon, Blodgett Peak Open Space, Jones Park, portions of Cheyenne Mtn. State Park, the Cheyenne Mtn. Zoo, isolated sections of the Pike National Forest and some Broadmoor amenities will experience road and trail closures for short periods of time during treatment.

For more information on the progression of the spraying process, you can view the maps by visiting https://www.coloradosprings.gov/tussock.