TIMES RECORD • July 5, 2021
Warm, humid and dry spring weather helped fuel an explosion of browntail moth caterpillars, a toxic pest that has left Maine residents reeling and officials struggling to manage their soaring numbers. According to Schmeelk, the adult moths are typically out in the second week of July. One key to keeping them away from your property is to turn off your lights at night, he said. “They are over two weeks early this year and are active through August, so late June to August is the time for blackouts at night.” David S. Page, a biochemistry professor at Bowdoin College, said UV light bug-zappers available in the market can help cut down the moth population in small areas.