Gypsy Moths Out In Full Force

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

All around Rhode Island, gypsy moths are out in full force. It’s creating a nuisance for Cool Licks Creamery in North Providence. When lit up at night, it becomes a magnate for moths.
 
"It’s a pain, serving ice cream, they are everywhere. I do have screens on the windows, but they get in anyway," says Emily Lysikatos, owner of the shop.
 
Lysikatos says on an average night they’ll see hundreds to thousands flying around. Dealing with this amount of moths is a first for them.

"I’ve been here since 1995, nothing like that ever before,"she adds.

According to DEM, this year’s caterpillar infestation was unprecedented. Now those caterpillars have turned into moths, and are taking flight. In this case right into Cool Licks Creamery, as well as the North Providence Senior Center.
 
"Most of our clients that access our facility use the automatic opener, so the doors are left open longer than if they were just shut automatically. So we are finding is that the moths are getting into the front foyer," says Executive Director Karen Testa Leone.
 
Testa Leone says the problem is not only inside the center. Out back during lunch time, the tables are bare, those who usually sit there tell us why.
 
"I won’t now with these moths around. Oh they were flying around like mad. It’s making a lot of people stay inside," says Rita Loppi.

(c)WLNE-TV 2016