MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting public comment on its 2026 spongy moth aerial treatment plans. Treatment plan maps, spray information, fact sheets, and other resources can be found at smaerialspray.wi.gov.
“The outbreak-level spongy moth populations observed throughout eastern and central Wisconsin in 2023-2024 have largely subsided,” said Michael Falk, Forest Pest Survey and Control Unit Supervisor at DATCP. “However, our 2025 trapping and egg mass surveys detected scattered outlier moth populations encroaching into uninfested areas of western Wisconsin. Our 2026 treatment plan is designed to prevent these populations from establishing and causing damage to yard trees and forestlands, as well as our timber, nursery, and tourism industries.”
Beginning in May and continuing through July, DATCP plans to treat selected areas in western Wisconsin using low-flying planes. A total of approximately 57,615 acres at 18 sites in eight counties are scheduled for treatment. These areas have been identified as having increasing populations of spongy moth, a destructive non-native insect with an appetite for hundreds of different species of trees and shrubs.
The following counties are scheduled to receive aerial treatments: Barron, Buffalo, Dunn, Grant, Lafayette, Pepin, Trempealeau, and Washburn. An interactive map of treatment areas is available at datcpgis.wi.gov/maps/?viewer=
Spongy moth program staff will present information regarding treatment plans at four upcoming open-house style public meetings. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with staff, learn more about spongy moth, and view maps of treatment areas.
Public meetings are scheduled in each region where aerial treatments are planned:
| Region | Date | Time | Location | Address |
| Southwest (Grant, Lafayette) |
Monday, March 9 |
5-6:45 p.m. | Platteville Public Library | 225 W. Main St. Platteville, WI |
| West central (Buffalo, Pepin, Trempealeau) |
Tuesday, March 10 | 4-6 p.m. | Arcadia Public Library | 730 Raider Drive Suite 3140 Arcadia, WI |
| Northwest (Washburn) |
Wednesday, March 11 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Spooner DNR Service Center | 810 W. Maple St. Spooner, WI |
| Northwest (Barron, Dunn) |
Wednesday, March 11 | 5-7 p.m. | Boyceville Public Library | 903 Main St. Boyceville, WI |
For more information, visit smaerialspray.wi.gov or spongymoth.wi.gov. Members of the public can also sign up for email updates, call the toll-free hotline at (800) 642-MOTH, or email questions or comments to spongymoth@wisconsin.gov.
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