Processionary Caterpillars!
Processionary Caterpillars!
Oh no! I am afflicted! I have read about these critters but I had hoped to escape them - somewhat naive a hope as I have a lot of pine trees around the perimeter of my land. Sure enough, today I was sent photographs of their nests swinging from the branches of my trees I would have thought that by March they would have long since been in their final stages and 'on the march' fairly but it has been a cold winter and I think their development has been delayed. How can I get rid of them? I know it's not an easy task and if possible I would prefer to avoid using the sort of toxins that wipe out all life within a 50 yd radius when you spray.
[/img]
[/img]
You've gotta nuke them. Pussyfooting around with 'natural' remedies is a waste of time, they are pretty resilient. Call in your local pest controller sooner rather than later. They are a major hazard to animals, particularly dogs and cats. I've seen the effect of airborne hairs contacting with a dog and it's not pleasant, the dog survived but many don't.
Some guests just need a sympathetic pat. On the head. With a hammer.
I would get the professionals in. They are dangerous to people too. Anything that they touch - or that you use to remove them- will transmit the allergens.
In the last month my local resort managers have had several children and adults (using pool toys, golf clubs, outside furniture, near infested trees) - extremely uncomfortable rash medically diagnosed as caused by caterpillars.
These people haven't even touched the caterpillars.
In the last month my local resort managers have had several children and adults (using pool toys, golf clubs, outside furniture, near infested trees) - extremely uncomfortable rash medically diagnosed as caused by caterpillars.
These people haven't even touched the caterpillars.
-
- Posts: 414
- Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 4:06 pm
- Location: Luz, Algarve
I post links to laymyhat on other forums (apart from the misinfo forums because they delete them ) so I'm sure posting a link to another (French?) forum will be acceptable here.teapot wrote:One Chap on another forum has trapped hundreds of the little blighters, don't know if I am allowed to post a link to another forum?
Well... unless the link goes to a norty sort of forum...
I'm dreading their arrival in Normandy. Though I think we already have oak processionary caterpillars - they're in a few areas in the UK too.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... -in-london
-
- Posts: 13173
- Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:42 am
- Location: French Alps
- Contact:
I knew we'd had another discussion about this in the past. viewtopic.php?t=20468&highlight=caterpillar
Awful for the poor dog.
Awful for the poor dog.
I have LOTS of pines, and they provide screening from winds that can be quite vicious up in the hills plus much valued shade. I would not want to cut them down. The main pines actually form the boundary to my land and without them I won't know where my land begins and ends!RichardHenshall wrote:We and our neighbours cut down our trees. Sorted.
I have read the horror stories of processionary caterpillars and know how much they can affect animals and humans. I have guests arriving at the end of next month and will have to hope that either the bug(ger)s have been eradicated or they have already processioned away. I do have a mental image of this snaking train of caterpillars all doing the conga though
Get a specialist in, don't hope for the best. These things can kill, you cannot take chances. They don't just wander off and die, they burrow and then pupate at the end of summer, the moths then lay eggs in the pine trees and the whole cycle starts again. You will have the same problem next year.
If you are infested then you have a responsibility to deal with them properly, not just to your guests but to your neighbours.
If you are infested then you have a responsibility to deal with them properly, not just to your guests but to your neighbours.
Some guests just need a sympathetic pat. On the head. With a hammer.
Ok, I will give it a go, John's traps work well.Normandie wrote:I post links to laymyhat on other forums (apart from the misinfo forums because they delete them ) so I'm sure posting a link to another (French?) forum will be acceptable here.teapot wrote:One Chap on another forum has trapped hundreds of the little blighters, don't know if I am allowed to post a link to another forum?
Well... unless the link goes to a norty sort of forum...
I'm dreading their arrival in Normandy. Though I think we already have oak processionary caterpillars - they're in a few areas in the UK too.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... -in-london
http://www.thefranceforum.net/viewtopic ... 63&t=23796
Passivpool Energy "A" rated Swimming Pools, the most efficient, lowest running cost pools in the world
A friend of mine who used to live in the south of spain many years ago told me that they would use axel grease which was put around the trunk in a circle so it couldn't be bypassed. They used to smooth the area first so they could apply it easier.
It sounds like a nightmare scenario, but personally I would try and do whatever to limited the infestation. Maybe your local ayuntamiento can offr advice, or your neighbours?
Mousie
x
It sounds like a nightmare scenario, but personally I would try and do whatever to limited the infestation. Maybe your local ayuntamiento can offr advice, or your neighbours?
Mousie
x
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
-
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:45 pm
- Location: Villa in Gale, Algarve, Portugal. At home in Fetcham, Surrey, UK
- Contact:
Wow! I've never heard of these before. Now I'm alerted and well informed. Thanks again to the wonderful LMH.
TA lurkers walk among us; the LMH Walking Dead
dont mess in the affairs of cats for they are subtle and will p on your computer.
www.algarvevillatrinity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/villatrinity
www.gardenerscottage.promotemyplace.com
dont mess in the affairs of cats for they are subtle and will p on your computer.
www.algarvevillatrinity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/villatrinity
www.gardenerscottage.promotemyplace.com