Costs Associated with Urban Gypsy Moth Control by Arborists: A Case Study    (View PDF)

Christopher D. Vaughn, Thomas J. Straka, Donald L. Ham, Roy L. Hedden, and Kevin W. Thorpe

Abstract: The European gypsy moth, (Lymantria dispart.) is an introduced forest pest that has significantly impacted hardwood forests and urban environments in the northeastern United States. In urban settings, homeowners allocate significant financial resources to mitigate gypsy moth damage. The objective of this study was to assess the costs of gypsy moth control-related services provided by arborists to homeowners. At present, cost information on this type of service is unavailable to urban resource managers. Urban cost data will allow for comparisons of treatment alternatives between residential and other urban situations. Cost data were obtained from two large commercial tree care companies operating in the northeastern United States. From these data, an average hourly rate of $104.70 was developed for the two companies (excluding materials). This rate was broken down into five major components: (1) labor, (2) overhead, (3) equipment, (4) mobilization, and (5) profit. Labor, overhead, and equipment costs accounted for approximately 48% of the total cost to the customer. Mobilization cost which included travel and setup time accounted for approximately 15%. The materials cost varied depending on the type of treatment chosen. Data reported in this study are limited to hydraulic application

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https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1997.028