State offers advice on gypsy moth treatments

CLOQUET, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Agriculture holds two open houses Monday on proposed gypsy moth suppression treatments in St. Louis and Carlton counties.

The open houses in Duluth and Cloquet will give residents and business owners the opportunity to learn more about the invasive insect and the state's efforts to slow their spread. The informational meetings were originally set for Feb. 29 but had to be rescheduled due to a snowstorm.

The meetings will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center in Duluth and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cloquet Public Library.

Gypsy moth caterpillars have defoliated entire forests in some eastern states. Minnesota is fighting to prevent or delay them from becoming permanently established here.