2023 Brown Tail Moth Mitigation Program

---2023 Update as of 4/26--- click for updates

Notice:  The Town of Frye Island plans to conduct a second island-wide brown tail moth mitigation program this spring (2023).  General assessment and surveying began this earlier this month. The spraying and injection of afflicted trees is planned to start as soon as conditions permit and conclude by Friday 4/28.  The window for treatment this year is short because of delays in gaining access to the island and other factors.

General Assessment:  From Pine State Pest Solutions (Pine State) -  The overall state of the island is significantly better than last year, though we did find pockets of moderate to heavy activity, most of which were in areas where there was severe activity last year and residents refused treatment on their properties.  

The big difference during the initial 2023 assessment was the lack of trees along the road and on town property that were severely infested.  There were sporadic trees along the roads that had 1-3 nests this year versus 20-30 last year. This is evidence of how effective last year's program and treatment was and resulted in a significant drop in the population.  There were no areas on town land or private property that were treated last year that we found to be "severe" or "heavy" this year.  However, there were areas of “moderate” infestation (8-10 nests) on town or private land treated in 2022 that were near severely infested areas that were left untreated.

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely eradicate the brown-tail moths, but we significantly decreased the population last year, especially in areas of consistently applied treatment and consent by property owners.

Town Assessment:  The BOS/ExComm has agreed to the spray treatment program along public roads, beaches, and the golf course for 18.3 miles.  Last year, the town paid for a total of 31.5 miles of spraying treatment including up to 50 feet of a private resident’s driveway if the homeowner consented.  This year, private residents will be responsible for consent and payment of any treatment on any part of their property. 

This year, only 400-500 inches of injections on town property are anticipated due to the success of last year’s program.  Last year, 1,313 diameter inches of 92 trees on public property were treated.  Injection is only done within 50 feet of the water and spraying is not permitted.

Private Property Treatment:  Private resident participation in highly infested areas will help continue to reduce the population.  If the properties near the areas marked on the 2023 BTM Maps have their properties treated, it will make a substantial impact on mitigating the island wide infestation.

Residents who opt in for treatment this year will be responsible for paying for their entire property.  Last year, the town paid for the spraying from the first fifty feet of driveways.  This is reflected in this year's pricing arrangements.  Please note, spraying is the principal method of treatment. Only afflicted trees within 50 feet of the waterfront are treated by injection. 

Private Property Consent & Pricing:  The town will be issuing a consent survey and forwarding this information to Pine State. This year, Pine State will be handling invoicing and payments.  Pine State will assess any properties provided there is intent to undertake and pay for treatment (if needed) by consent via the survey.  After the assessment, Pine State will provide the property owner with a quote for service only if there is brown tail moth activity on their property.  Payment via credit card will be required before treatment is applied.  The detailed pricing structure for any treatments needed on private property, including lot size estimates, can be found on the Private Property Treatment Pricing subpage and are abridged below:

Spraying Tier Pricing:

- $300 (avg. lot / light activity)

- $450 (large lot / moderate/heavy activity)

- $750 (3/4+ acre lot)

*town paid for treatment of all trees 50+ ft up driveway in

2022. Residents are responsible for ENTIRE lot in 2023

Lot Size Estimate Map

Injection Tier Pricing (for trees within 50 feet of waterfront)*:

$350 (1-2 trees)**

$550 (3-4 trees)**

$750 (5-6 trees)**

$950 (7+ trees)**

*per lot (injections only to be applied within 50 feet of waterfront)

ACTION REQUIRED:  Property owners will soon receive a consent survey via email from btm@fryeislandtown.org which allows you to:

• Sign up for an assessment to determine if treatment of any infested trees on your property is needed (with the intent to treat if so)

• Or, indicate that you will be refusing to participate in any treatment on private property.

This survey should be completed ASAP, but no later than Monday 4/24.

The goal of the program is to act as a community to treat as many infested trees as possible, to limit the impact on health and quality of life, as well as on trees island-wide.  The consent survey will take only a few minutes to complete.

Pesticide Information:  The treatments will be applied by a licensed pesticide applicator (Pine State Pest Solutions), in accordance with Maine regulations regarding pesticide use.  Pesticides to be used, depending on location and treatment required, are listed below.  For the list of pesticides and further details, please visit the BTM Treatment Information page on the town website.

Contact:  If you have any questions, please email btm@fryeislandtown.org.

Please check your email account, including your spam or junk mail folders for the survey message.  If you need assistance, please email btm@fryeislandtown.org