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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will set approximately 20,000 traps this year looking for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar), formally known as gypsy moth. The traps will be set throughout the eastern half of the state and in far northwestern Minnesota as part of a “western rotation.”

This work is part of the MDA’s annual trapping survey program and is designed to protect Minnesota’s forests and urban areas from new infestations of spongy moth by detecting potential problem areas for future treatments. While the goal of the program is not to trap every spongy moth, trapping is vital to early detection and slowing the spread. In 2022, a record number 101,763 spongy moths were trapped, making it even more important that efficient trapping efforts continue.

Survey staff have begun setting traps and will continue through July. Traps will remain in the field through August in the southern region of the state and through October in the northern region. The “delta” traps are small, triangle-shaped and made of cardboard. Bigger “milk carton” shaped traps will be set in select areas of Lake, Cook, and St. Louis counties to accommodate potentially higher numbers of moths. All the traps contain a pheromone to lure in male spongy moths if they are present.

The traps are placed mainly on trees in a grid pattern at a specific distance from each other. The grid allows for the traps to efficiently trap as many male moths as possible. To be successful, it is important to maintain the trapping grid. Citizens are asked not to disturb the traps and to call MDA’s Report a Pest line at 888-545-MOTH (6684) or email spongy.moth@state.mn.us if they would like traps moved or removed from their property.

Community member cooperation in the trapping survey program is vital to its success. In addition, this year the MDA is asking the public to be extra vigilant on spotting potential infestations and reporting potential spongy moth sightings via the Report a Pest online service or by emailing reportapest@state.mn.us.

“With the public’s help, this work protects industries like tourism and forestry from economic harm and saves Minnesota’s urban and forested areas from environmental damage.” said Plant Protection Director Mark Abrahamson.

Spongy moth caterpillars are a problem because they eat the leaves of over 300 types of trees and shrubs, favoring oak, poplar, birch, and willow. Severe, repeated infestations can kill trees, especially when the trees are already stressed by drought or disease. Multiple life stages of spongy moth are also a human nuisance.

For more details about the trapping survey program and spongy moth, visit the MDA website.

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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.raveill@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion is making its return to Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show/A Taste of the States Show at McCormick Place May 20-23, 2023, as well as the overlapping Sweets & Snacks Expo also at McCormick Place, May 23-25, 2023. The Pavilions will provide space for 16 Minnesota-based food and beverage brands to exhibit and promote their businesses on a national level.

The National Restaurant Association show is the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere. The “A Taste of the States” portion — run by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture — provides U.S. food and beverage companies the opportunity to engage with thousands of buyers in the restaurant, lodging, and foodservice industry.

The Sweets & Snacks Expo is North America’s most comprehensive global confectionery and snack event. Open only to those in the sweets and snacks trade, the show is unrivaled in new product launches, business-building solutions, and innovations in merchandising. The event features the biggest, brightest, latest, and greatest the candy and snack industries have to offer.

“Both of these trade shows offer the chance for unique, face-to-face connections that are integral to helping Minnesota’s food and beverage companies grow,” said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “The MDA is thrilled to continue to offer space and resources for these brands to stand out as part of a Minnesota Pavilion.”

The following Minnesota brands will be exhibiting as part of the Minnesota Pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Show:

• AcreMade/Puris
• The Amazing Chickpea
• Captain Ken’s
• Compart Duroc
• Isadore Nut Co.
• Junita’s Jar
• Per Se
• Nordic Waffles
• Peace Coffee
• Stone Gate Foods/Tater Kegs
• SunOpta
• We Are Nuts

The following Minnesota brands will be exhibiting as part of the Minnesota Pavilion at the Sweets & Snacks Expo:

• Heavenly Treats
• Magic Straws
• Old Dutch Foods
• SMACKIN' Sunflower Seeds
• We Are Nuts

The MDA will also be hosting a reception for Minnesota attendees of both shows on Monday, May 22.

Minnesota Pavilion events are offered through the MDA’s New Markets Program, which works with Minnesota food and beverage companies on business and market development. It helps increase the use of Minnesota agricultural ingredients, create and protect jobs, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.

This year’s Chicago Pavilions are supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), NearestYou, and Naturally Minnesota.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us

Spring is here, and many Minnesotans are working on lawns, trees, and gardens. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges the safe use of pesticides and fertilizers on your property by following all label directions.

Pesticide and fertilizer labels specify how to use products safely and effectively. In Minnesota, it is against the law to apply products without following label instructions. The label is the law.

If you hire a professional lawn care service, do your homework. State law requires pesticide applicators to be licensed by the MDA to commercially apply pesticides and fertilizers, including weed and feed products. Applicators must know and understand state and federal regulations regarding all aspects of pesticide and fertilizer handling, application, and disposal to be licensed by the MDA. The following are helpful tips for a safe spring season.

If you do it yourself:

• Read and follow all label directions.
• Do not apply products in windy or adverse weather conditions. High wind can cause products to drift and potentially harm people, pets, or plants.
• Sweep sidewalks and hard surfaces of any dry or granular product and reapply to the intended area. Pesticides left on these surfaces easily wash into our water supply.
• Buy only what you need. Unused products must be stored according to the label, can lose effectiveness over time, and be difficult to dispose of properly. Find a pesticide waste collection site near you to safely dispose of any unused product.

If you hire a professional:

• Professionals must be licensed by the MDA and carry their pesticide applicator license with them. Ask to see their license before they start work.
• Be cautious of people who claim their products are completely safe, or pressure you to sign a service contract.
• Recognize posted warning flags in areas that have been chemically treated.
• Applicators are required to provide an application record to you. Review the record, including products used and the amounts applied.
• Be sure the applicator sweeps the sidewalks and hard surfaces clean of any dry or granular products.

For information about applicator licenses, call the MDA at 651-201-6615. To report unlicensed applicators, please file a complaint on the MDA website or call 651-201-6333.

Consumers can call the Better Business Bureau at 651-699-1111 and check customer satisfaction histories for lawn care companies.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us