Department of Environmental Management to spray insecticide in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said Monday that they will begin spraying areas alongside Douglas Pike in Smithfield with insecticide later this week.

Jay Wegimont, a spokesman for the department, said that the spraying will begin Wednesday in areas that have spotted lanternfly infestation.

“This kind of treatment kills the invasive pests on contact and has been used effectively in Pennsylvania and other Mid-Atlantic states that have been threatened by SLF, which feeds on plant sap using a piercing mouthpart and targets an extremely broad range of agricultural crop and tree species,” Wegimont explained.

The DEM stressed that the project is not a large-scale operation. There will be two workings spraying the most infested parts of the area. The process is expected to wrap up in two to three weeks.

Officials will hold a press conference over Zoom Tuesday to answer any questions regarding the project.