The processionary caterpillar is here again: what is the municipality doing about it?

Many people get itching, bumps and rashes from the processionary caterpillar's fire hairs. The hairs can also cause eye, nose and throat pain.
We are therefore tackling the processionary caterpillars in the municipality's oak trees. We do this in oak trees in busy places in public spaces. So along bicycle paths and footpaths that people use a lot, around schools, nurseries, care centers and other buildings where many people come.

We spray oak trees in April and May with a biological agent

We control processionary caterpillars preventively. This means that we tackle them even before they develop fire hairs. This is in April and May. We control the caterpillar by spraying a biological agent on the trees. This is a pesticide that only the processionary caterpillar cannot withstand. It is not dangerous to trees, plants, other animals and people. We do not use this pesticide in areas designated by the Butterfly Foundation as protected areas for butterflies. 

Let us know if you are still bothered by processionary caterpillars after spraying the trees

Do you still suffer from processionary caterpillars after that and are they in trees belonging to the municipality? If so, please let us know. Tell us where they are still located. You can call us at telephone number 14 045. You can also send us an e-mail at gemeentehuis@kerkrade.nl

A special company then comes in June and July to vacuum out the nests of the processionary caterpillar.