MORNING SENTINEL • June 18, 2021
Oakland Pharmacy makes a spray to treat browntail moth caterpillar rash. Usually, they make several hundred bottles, but this year so far they have made and sold close to 600. Owner and pharmacist at Oakland, Fairfield and Unity pharmacies Shane Savage said, “It’s crazy this year.” With browntail moth caterpillars populations skyrocketing across central Maine this season, consumers are reporting store shelves empty of itch creams and other remedies while shop owners say they’re seeing record-breaking demand. Waterville city officials have declared a public health emergency as the caterpillars have spread into the region like never before.