To spray in only the urban areas to eliminate the gypsy moth infestation and not the rural areas is a "huge mistake," says Glanbrook councillor Dave Mitchell.

Residents and farmers in the Binbrook area have endured three years of gypsy moth problems, and trees stripped of their leaves, he said.

"If we don't spray, we won't see any trees," said Mr. Mitchell. "To recommend not to spray where it is the worst infestation is a huge mistake. Eliminating the rural area is the worst decision to make."

BioForest Technologies, hired by the city last fall to conduct a survey of the urban and rural areas of Hamilton for gypsy moths found severe infestations in Dundas Driving Park, the Churchill Park area, and the Lime Kiln Road, Montgomery Drive area.

In the rural areas, Hall Road in Binbrook, and Kerncliff Area in Flamborough were also found to be severely affected.

Gypsy moths infestation reached "outbreak levels" in certain areas of Hamilton in 2007, said city staff. Parts of the city last year suffered devastating tree losses, they said.

City staff are recommending spending $450,000 to spray Btk, a naturally occurring, soil borne bacteria that only targets the larvae of moths and butterflies.

Btk works in the digestive system of the larvae and it has minimal effects on humans.

Bryan Shynal, director of operations and maintenance, said if councillors approve the spraying program at their March 31 meeting, aerial spraying will begin in the first week in May. Two applications are needed and they will be completed within a 10 to 14 day time frame, he said.

Spraying has to be done in the spring to properly kill the moths. If not, then the insects become more difficult to kill and tougher pesticides are needed.

The city is partnering with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the city of Oakville and Halton Region for their spraying program. The HCA last week approved spraying their properties in Dundas and Ancaster last week at a cost of about $60,000.

HCA officials said last year large amounts of egg masses, and severe defoliated trees had been found in Ancaster, Dundas and Greensville.

Other areas that were hit hard last year were in west Hamilton, Scenic Drive, and the Upper Ottawa and Stone Church Road areas.

According to a public works report, a 2008 defoliation survey for the Lime Kiln Road and Montgomery Drive area forecasts 10,144 egg masses per hectare. If left untreated, the result could be severe defolation of more than 90 per cent of deciduous trees. The same defoliation could occur at the Dundas Driving Park, the report states.

In some private areas in Ancaster last year, spraying did take place. City staff are suggesting if Hamilton starts spraying, private property owners may be contacted to help defray the cost of the operation.

In 2006 Mississauga spent $395,000 for spraying and $275,000 to spray for gypsy moths. Toronto spent about $140,000 in 2007.

"This is not an easy issue," said Mountain councillor Tom Jackson. "You will get angst in the community."

Any spraying that is authorized will not violate the city's recently approved new pesticide bylaw, said public health officials. The bylaw does not go into effect until September 2008.

Robert Hall, director of the city's health protection branch of Public Health, spraying for infestations is exempt from the pesticide bylaw.

"(Spraying) does not present an adverse health affect," Mr. Hall told councillors.

Mr. Shynal said the public has until March 31 to submit its comments to the city about possible spraying by the city.

Residents can also appear before the public works committee on March 31 to talk about their views on spraying.

Still, some councillors seemed to have made up their minds about spraying to prevent further deforestation.

"We have to do it, especially with the summer drought conditions," said Dundas councillor Russ Powers. "The trees are stressed. We want to keep the trees there."

At a montly meeting of the Ancaster Village Core Advisory Committee, Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson said his ward will be greatly divided on the gypsy moth issue.

"I've received lots of calls from both sides of the issue," Mr. Ferguson said.

He agreed that gypsy moths are a growing problem in rural areas, including on his own property.

"You can actually hear them munching," he said.

Individual members of the committee said spraying would be beneficial to safeguard the urban forests that comprise a key part of Ancaster's heritage.

"I've seen what it does in cottage country," said committee member Frank Earnest. "Pure devestation."

Mr. Ferguson said he was pleased to see an opportunity for public input before the city considers its next move.