It will be two years before officials know if the aerial spraying campaign against the asian gypsy moth in Hamilton has been successful.
The final aerial assault, which brings the controversial eradication campaign to a close, is scheduled for next Thursday.
Although there have been no further discoveries of the moth, MAFgeneral manager gypsy moth operations Robert Isbister said it was far too early to say if the spraying had worked.
It would take two years, without a single discovery of the moth or foliage damage, before the campaign could be called a success.
Mr Isbister said the spraying, which targeted the moth in its caterpillar form, had gone relatively well so far. The weather had interfered only twice.
Yesterday's scheduled seventh day of spraying had gone without a problem in fine conditions.
Since the first spray in October MAF's asian gypsy moth line has received 31,000 calls from people wanting information on spray dates, the moth and for health advice.
