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. They are also dangerous to dogs. They can inhale the hairs while sniffing.

That's why we're tackling processionary caterpillars. We do this mainly in oak trees in busy places. So along bike 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

To reduce the nuisance, we spray the caterpillar. We do that before the fire hairs grow. Preventive control. We do this 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 can't tolerate. It is not dangerous for trees, plants, other animals and people. We do not use this pesticide in areas that "De Vlinderstichting " has designated as protected areas for butterflies.

We spray summer and winter oaks

The oak processionary caterpillar occurs in the pedunculate oak and the sessile oak. Only when there are very many caterpillars do they crawl into other oak trees. Fortunately, there are fewer and fewer processionary caterpillars. That's why in 2024 we only spray the summer and winter oaks.

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

Are you still suffering from processionary caterpillars after spraying? 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.

Learn more

You can find more information about oak processionary caterpillars on the GGD South Limburg website.