CLARE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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  • Home
  • 2025 Native Sale
  • Gardens Project
  • Spongy Moth
    • Gypsy Moth News
    • FAQ'S
    • Gypsy Moth Identification & Life Cycle
    • Natural Enemies
    • Foray 48b Bacterial Insecticide
    • Landowner Management >
      • Gypsy Moth Traps
      • Removal Guide
    • Links For More Information
  • Soil Erosion
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Permit Fee Schedule
    • Permit Application
    • Best Management Practices >
      • Silt Fence
  • Forestry
    • Qualified Forest Program
    • Find a Professional
    • Oak Wilt
    • Forestry Project Referrals
    • Planting Instructions
  • MAEAP
  • Tool Crib Rental
  • About Us
    • FOIA
    • Programs
    • Staff & Board Members
    • Board Meetings & Minutes
    • Our Partners
    • Donate
  • NRCS
  • Annual Report
Btk – Bacterial Insecticide Fact Sheet Actual name  -
  • Bacillus thuringiensis var.  kurstaki  or Btk
Type of Product -
  • Biological pesticide, a type of pesticide derived from natural materials such as plants or bacteria.   Bt is a naturally occurring soil bacteria.
How Btk works -
  • Gypsy moth caterpillars must eat Btk for it to be effictive because it interferes with the digestion system.  The active ingredient is a crystal protein toxin formed by the bacteria.  The alkaline gut and enzimes that only caterpillars have activate the toxin that kills the cells lining, stopping the caterpillar from feeding and dies withing 2 to 5 days.  This alkaline condition is not present in the stomachs of humans,birds, or fish and other animals. 
How Btk is made -
  • Btk is cultured using water and nutrients such as sugars and starches, in a fermenting process similar to brewing beer.  The final product contains almost all water, the leftover growth medium, carbohydrates, inert ingredients that are approved as food additives, and the active ingredient.
What Btk affects -
  • Different strains of Bt affect different insects. Btk has no effect on humans, pets birds, fish, livestock, honey bees or other wildlife.  Btk is so specific to only certain moth and butterflies that is is an approved control product for use by certified  organic garners.
  • As with the application of any control product, people, pets or domestic animals with known respiratory ailments or other health concerns my wish to avoid exposure by staying indoors during the spray operation and until the Btk product is dry (usually a few hours).
  • The Btk applied in a spray does not multiply or accumulate in the environment.
Application rate -
  • 1/2 Gallon per Acre
Application timing -
  • After all caterpillars have hatched.
  • Most effective when caterpillars are young and have a gut lining thin enough for the Btk toxin to punch holes in it.  Once the larvae have gotten larger than 5/8-inch long, they are rather difficult to kill. 
  • Mid—to late –May or early June
Why we use Btk -
  • Breaks down in sunlight within seven days
  • Highly effective: nearly 80% mortality of gypsy moth caterpillars in treated areas
  • Highly effective with high gypsy moth caterpillar populations
  • Readily available
  • Known to be toxic to feeding caterpillars of moths and butterflies and is safe to humans, birds, fish, pets, beneficial insects and other non-target organisms

Foray 48B Product Label
foray_48b_product_label.pdf
File Size: 2418 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Foray 48B is OMRI Listed
omri_certificate.pdf
File Size: 328 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Foray 48B Safety Data Sheet
safety_sheet.pdf
File Size: 4144 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

District Information
Clare Conservation District 
225 W. Main Street   PO Box 356
​Harrison Michigan 48625

​Telephone: 989-539-6401


​
 ​OFFICE HOURS
Located in the Clare County Courthouse open Monday-Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
​

The Conservation District is a field office. Call to verify someone will be in the office.



​OFFICE STAFF
  Christiane Rathke
​District Administrator/Soil Erosion Agent

[email protected]
[email protected] (SESC)
​
Toni Maize
Spongy (Gypsy) Moth Coordinator
[email protected]​​


Mike Dittenber
​ District Forester
​[email protected]

Brandi Mitchell
MAEAP Technician
[email protected]


Monthly Board Meeting 
Harrison Public Library
3rd Tuesday of every month @ 6:30pm 
Any change to this schedule will be posted on this website



Board of Directors
​Vacant- Chair
Matt Todd-Secretary
​Benjamin Brown-Treasurer
Tonya Roe-Director
​Clay Mcilrath-Director