Word: bt
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...Backlash. To save their trees, some people tried using a biocide called Bacillus thuringiensis, which infects the caterpillars with a lethal virus. Smelling like musty hay, "BT" unfortunately may cause difficulties for people with allergies. Other tree owners turned to home remedies. They swatted the bugs with shovels, burned them with blow torches. Mrs. Marie Rusicka of Marlboro, N.J., actually spent three hours every day hand-picking the bugs off her trees. To keep caterpillars on the ground from climbing to the greenery, some citizens wrapped tree trunks with greased burlap bandages, then every evening stamped out the squishy bugs...