The Early Intervention Strategy (EIS) for spruce budworm (SBW) is a proactive approach to managing SBW outbreaks by targeting and controlling small, growing SBW populations (hot spots) before they cause widespread damage to forests. It aims to prevent outbreaks from developing into major events by using tools like monitoring, early detection, and targeted insecticide applications.
EIS Background
Quebec’s most recent outbreak has been going on for almost two decades, causing more than 33.5 million acres of damage during that time. In 2014, neighboring provinces in Atlantic-Canada formed the Healthy Forest Partnership (HFP), a collaborative effort between researchers, industry, and government, to research alternative strategies for controlling spruce budworm.
HFP has implemented and researched EIS since 2014 across Atlantic-Canada. Their EIS program involves intensive monitoring and early detection of SBW in spruce-fir stands through L2 sampling, target-specific insecticide applications to small, infested areas; and using tools and techniques to disrupt SBW mating and migration in those areas to reduce or eliminate SBW development and spread.
EIS in Maine
Because EIS is a successful approach for maintaining healthy spruce-fir forests, partners across Maine have identified an EIS approach as the best response to the return of SBW for the protection and health of Maine’s forests. With the increase of SBW populations in affected areas, large landowners have formed the Maine Budworm Response Coalition (MBRC) to coordinate an EIS approach to SBW management in Maine. The goal is to prevent a widespread outbreak of SBW in the areas dominated by spruce and fir forestlands. For more information and updates on where EIS will be implemented in Maine in 2025, please visit the 2025 Aerial Spray Program page.
EIS can be looked at as a new tool in addition to those that have been used traditionally. Land managers are encouraged to continue to prioritize management of high risk stands before significant SBW populations build; to consider EIS where it is practical; and in areas where EIS is not practical, managers can plan to apply insecticides following a foliage protection strategy, conduct salvage or pre-salvage harvests, or have the option to take no action.
Owners and managers of smaller woodlots that may be impacted by spruce budworm are encouraged to reach out to the Maine Forest Service or their forester for information on assistance that may be available in the future.