Early Spruce Budworm Treatment Planned for Northwestern Cape Breton

A small, targeted area of spruce and fir forest in northwestern Cape Breton will be treated this June as part of an early intervention strategy to stop rising spruce budworm populations before they become a widespread outbreak that can severely increase the risk of forest fires.

“By acting early in a small, focused area, we can help prevent much larger impacts on Nova Scotia’s forests in the years ahead,” said Kyle MacQuarrie, Ministerial Assistant for Natural Resources. “Other parts of the country have recently seen the devastation the spruce budworm can have on their forests, and the risk it poses for forest fires. We want to be proactive in managing the effect of this species on our province.”

The spruce budworm has historically been the most destructive softwood forest pest across North America, causing more damage to Nova Scotia softwood forests than any other insect. Recent monitoring indicates populations are reaching levels that require action in an effort to protect the public and forests.

The application of an approved biological insecticide targets the budworm larvae at the life stage where one aerial application is typically most effective. Treatment during this early stage prevents population buildup, protects forests, reduces wildfire risk, helps prevent serious impacts to rural communities and forestry jobs, and reduces the need for repeat treatments. The impacts of an outbreak can also have effects on wildlife that rely on the forest.

The treatment will primarily be on Crown lands. Private landowners in the treatment area can opt in for treatment on their property. This approach allows the Department to move quickly to address the situation, while ensuring landowners have a clear choice.

Quotes:

“The LeMoine Volunteer Fire Department is aware of the situation regarding the spruce bud worm. A similar situation occurred in the late ’80s and it is very concerning. Spraying for budworms is very necessary in order to control timber dryness. Fire prevention is the ultimate goal of every fire department and we strongly agree that spraying is necessary.”
— Alfred Aucoin, Chief, LeMoine Volunteer Fire Department

“We support this program because protecting long-term forest health, ecological integrity and resilience requires action.”
— Dennis Boulet, Woodlands Manager, Port Hawkesbury Paper

Quick Facts:

• the treatment area is about 1,200 hectares in the Pleasant Bay area in Inverness County
• the treatment uses Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki or Btk, a biological insecticide approved by Health Canada and commonly used in forestry and agriculture, including organic farming
• until recently, affected areas were confined to Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where Parks Canada declined to implement an early intervention strategy
• spruce budworm outbreaks tend to occur every 30 to 40 years
• the last outbreak in Nova Scotia occurred in the 1970s and 1980s and impacted over one million hectares

Additional Resources:

More information on spruce budworm: https://novascotia.ca/spruce-budworm

Department of Natural Resources regional offices: https://novascotia.ca/natr/staffdir/offices.asp

Health Canada information on Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk): https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/pesticides-pest-management/fact-sheets-other-resources/bacillus-thuringiensis-subspecies-kurstaki.html