WHAT IS IT
The Sterile Insect Release Program’s primary goal is to eliminate codling moth populations in commercial orchards to the point where no chemical interventions are necessary. This is called economic eradication. This will be achieved by a combination of released of sterile moths, and the use of various technologies such as mating disruption, less toxic, user friendly pesticides and intensive monitoring. Sterile moths, released at a rate of over 12-14 million per week during the growing season, mate with wild fertile moths. The resulting eggs do not develop and over time the wild population is eventually lowered to the point of economic eradication.  The SIR program is really insect birth control on a massive scale.

WHY
The codling moth is the "worm in the apple".  It was accidentally introduced into our province from Europe in the early 1900's.  It has plagued BC fruit growers ever since causing untold damage to apple and pear crops.  The SIR Program is aimed at suppressing the codling moth and thereby decreasing the reliance on insecticide sprays currently used to control this pest.  It is a modern environmentally sensitive solution to a major problem that hinders the economic success of our tree fruit industry - an industry that employs 5000 British Columbians and generates $700 million in annual economic activity.

WHEN
With the cooperation of both the federal and provincial government, a $7.4 million insect rearing facility was completed in 1993, near Osoyoos. The $3-4 million annual cost to operate the program is shared through taxes on both local growers and property owners.  The first release of sterile moths began in 1994.  In 1998 the SIR Program reared and released over 300 million moths from April to October.

WHERE
The initial area covered by the SIR Program (Zone 1) stretches from Osoyoos to Summerland and also includes Keremeos and Creston, Zone 2 includes Peachland to Winfield while Zone 3 stretches north to Salmon Arm.  Sterile moths are released daily throughout the area's 1700 orchards using specially modified all-terrain vehicles.  However, in order to achieve consistent suppression, all owners of non-commercial and urban properties with apple, pear and crabapple trees are also asked to do their part to comply with SIR regulations.

WHO
The SIR Program is very much a community effort, involving all three levels of government, the tree fruit industry, growers and property owners.  The suppression of the codling moth will substantially lower the need to spray for this pest and will be beneficial to orchardists, urban owners of backyard trees, as well as our environment and local economy.

SIR IMPLEMENTATION TRIALS