North Carolina agriculture officials are ready to oust a hungry pest from Hammocks Beach State Park in Onslow County.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Monday it will begin spraying next week to rid the park of a gypsy moth infestation.
Helicopters will spray a pesticide called Gypchek over the park in shifts that will be two to seven days apart. The agency says the pesticide is not harmful to humans, plants or animals except the gypsy moth caterpillar.
Gypsy moths feed on more than 300 different species of trees and shrubs. A severe infestation can leave trees totally stripped of foliage. Gypsy moths were spotted at the state park last year.
The creature has been found in North Carolina since the 1970s.
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