Announcements and Upcoming Events

Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Counts have been Completed 

           The Clare County Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Counters have finished their counting for the season. This year the surveys indicated that there is a strong gypsy moth presence throughout the county.  Our counters did run into landowners removing their egg masses before they counted. Unfortunately, it can reduce your area’s counts which in turn is the factor in determining if you can be sprayed. Counters also noticed that egg mass removal was being carried out improperly which results to egg masses still hatching.  We recommend inspecting unused firewood for egg masses and checking your property for egg masses.
The is a specific way to remove the egg masses prevent the population from increasing the following year. Please follow these steps:

1. The easiest way to remove the egg mass/masses is using a putty knife, playing card, or business card.
2. Carefully go behind the egg masses and “PEEL” it off into a dish of “SOAPY” water or paper bag. Any eggs that fall to the ground will hatch next year.  Winter does not kill the eggs, so care should be taken when removing.
3. The egg masses should stay in the soapy water for at least 48 hours. After soaking, it is recommended that you discard the water down a drain or flush it down the toilet.
4. An alternative can be burning the egg masses. Please, DO NOT burn the egg masses on the trees or any other structure.

We understand that removing all the egg masses may not be possible. Please monitor the inaccessible egg masses during the season. The egg masses should start to hatch in May. You can spray a mixture of soap and water on newly hatched egg mass to further reduce numbers.
You will be notified by mail if your area is in a spray block. 

Need Forestry Assistance?

If you need forestry assistance or would like a property evaluation, contact our Forester, Nia Becker to schedule a site visit. She can also help you enroll in tax saving or cost share programs. 

Check our our new Pinterest @ https://www.pinterest.com/ClareConservation/

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Forester Update:

Our Former Forester, Kylee, has started a blog about various things.  Experiences during work as well as insights on various topics.  Its new and only has a few posts but check back often to read about new adventures and things happening within the forestry world!  Click here for the blog.