Gypsy moths visiting briefly

PROVIDENCE — Gypsy moths, often referred to as “tent moths,” are appearing in
the northeast part of the state, but should be gone by the Fourth of July, the
Department of Environmental Management reports. The moths have been spotted in
North Smithfield, Smithfield and Lincoln and are expected to move on to Cumberland
and Burrillville. The DEM predicts moderate to heavy damage from the moth caterpillars,
but acknowledged that the moths will be a nuisance for homeowners in the infested
areas. A DEM spokesman suggested the homeowners can wait out the moth caterpillars
since they should be gone in a month, or have a licensed arborist make recommendations
for treatment. However, she said that if the oak trees affected are already damaged
by frost, such as the one that hit the state May 7, and have produced little or
no foliage, there is no point in spraying the tree.