Members of the public works committee this week approved spending an extra $257,812 to spray 334 hectares of land in Greensville and Ancaster, in the Mohawk and Filman Road area, and 270 hectares of land in Binbrook.

Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson and Glanbrook councillor Dave Mitchell both asked city staff to review requests from the public about large egg masses among the trees in the areas. Public works staff confirmed the "severe" nature of the gypsy moth infestation and recommended spraying.

Binbrook residents came out in force to an earlier committee meeting this month urging councillors to spray for gypsy moths in their rural areas. They told councillors of severe infestations and trees in their areas, including around the Glanbrook landfill site, that have been destroyed over the last few years because of the moths.

Politicians last week approved a budget ceiling of $830,000 to spray for gypsy moths starting in the early part of May.

The total cost of the program will be $796,292. The cost was substantially reduced after Transport Canada recently gave the private contractor approval to use a fixed wing aircraft to spray. By using the airplane, the city will save $246,300.

The spray program will target such urban areas as the Dundas Driving Park, the Churchill Park area, and the Lime Kiln Road, and Montgomery Drive area.

The aerial spraying program will use Btk, a naturally occurring soil borne bacteria that only targets larvae of moths and butterflies. The spray is not harmful to humans, but there is a possibility it will leave a film on materials. Officials are urging people to stay indoors during the spraying, and to wash away the film from cars and barbecues.

Two applications will be needed to cover the infested areas within a 10-to-14 day period.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority in March approved spending $60,000 to spray their lands in Dundas and Ancaster at a cost of about $60,000.

The city held information meetings in Ancaster, Dundas and Binbrook to answer questions from residents about the spraying program.