January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009

Adult Buck Moths

October 20, 2009

Adult buck moths may emerge and inadvertently become trapped indoors between October and November. This moth is known to occur in the 6 New England states and New York. Adults do not feed and will not cause damage. Adults trapped inside will die. The caterpillar is active in the spring and feeds on a variety of plants. The caterpillar is medically important because it has hairs, or spines with venom that can cause swelling, redness and pain. For more detailed information about this seasonal pest go to: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/moths/buck_moth.htm (information courtesy of the University of Florida)

Waltham Services’ Own Tom Wetherbee Receives Award

August 20, 2009

WALTHAM, Mass. — This past Spring, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist Tom Wetherbee of the Quality Control & Technical Group received a special award from the U.S. Coast Guard. The “Station Gloucester Sailor of the 1st Quarter Award” had never before been given to a civilian at Gloucester Station, one of the oldest Stations in the Coast Guard’s network of stations.

Wetherbee was involved in radio communication during the U.S. Coast Guard’s Jan. 3 search and rescue mission to recover the Patriot, a 54-foot commercial boat that sank off the coast of Glouchester, Mass., resulting in the loss of two lives. Wetherbee was a steady hand on the radio helping direct rescue attempts that failed for a number of reasons he had no control over. The memorandum noted Wetherbee’s calm, steady hand in an extreme, high pressure emergency situation and described his outstanding support of the station and its mission.

Should You Treat For Emerald Ash Borer?

August 16, 2009

First the Gypsy Moth, then the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Asian Long Horned Borer and now the Emerald Ash Borer. These are just some of the non-native, imported creatures that have invaded the US. The EAB has not been found in the Northeast yet, but forest managers and arborists are on the lookout for this destructive insect.

The EAB has been found in 12 Northern States and 2 Canadian Provinces, so it would seem wise to be on the lookout. How about treating trees preventively, since it seems to be just a matter of time before the beetle is found here? The answer is maybe yes, and maybe no, don’t bother treating. This, and other questions are answered in a new, just published 12 page EAB bulletin that is available at: