In The Hague, including Madestein, we have already seen oak processionary caterpillars. Don’t touch this one! The caterpillars can cause itching, red eyes, bumps or blisters on the skin. The Hague Green answers ten graves about the small nuisance causes.
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What is an oak processionary caterpillar?
The oak processionary caterpillar larva is from a moth. ‘ At night he goes in a group, so in procession, in search of food. Those are nice oak leaves. Hence the name oak processionary caterpillar.
Where in the Netherlands does the oak processionary caterpillar often occur?
Especially municipalities in the The eastern and southern parts of the Netherlands have a lot of nuisance from the caterpillar. The tree file sometimes exists for that 62 percent oak. The development of the caterpillar is monitored from the Knowledge Center Oak Processionary caterpillar. The first young caterpillars were spotted in the Netherlands at the end of March due to the warm weather.
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Is the oak processionary caterpillar common in The Hague?
Our city has 62.000 ‘city trees’. These are the trees in public gardens, along our roads, quays and avenues. Here are about 8.000 oak between. In addition, there are quite a few oaks in the forests and parks. 8.000 oaks may seem like a lot, but if you compare it with the municipalities in the east and south of our country, it’s not that bad. In our city, for example, the elm and the linden are much more popular than the oak. In 2021 is at 121 oaks found a nest of the oak processionary caterpillar.
Has the oak processionary caterpillar been seen in The Hague yet?
A specialized agency starts inspecting oaks at the end of May, beginning of June. “It makes no sense to put the company to work earlier because the nests are not yet clearly visible. As soon as the experts see a nest, they register it and we can remove them”, says Peter.
The Municipality of The Hague does not use chemical pesticides to remove the oak processionary caterpillar.
How does the municipality fight the oak processionary caterpillar?
“In The Hague we do not use chemical pesticides to remove the oak processionary caterpillar. The nests are sucked away and then burned,” says green manager Peter. “Because birds, bats and insects love these succulent caterpillars, we, together with our urban ecologists, ensure that the design of our greenery becomes even more attractive for birds, bats and insects. In this way nature will solve part of this problem by itself.”
How do you recognize an oak processionary caterpillar?
When the caterpillars hatch from their eggs, they are orange. As they get older, they turn a gray color with light-colored sides and long stinging hairs. The oak processionary caterpillar becomes about 3 centimeters long.
When does the oak processionary caterpillar cause nuisance?
If the caterpillars are still small, nothing is wrong. They may already have hairs, but not yet the stinging hairs that can cause nuisance. “If the temperature is normal, those stinging hairs will appear around June. That is also the moment when they start to form the striking nests and become clearly visible to people”, says Peter.
You can get the stinging hairs on your body through direct contact with oak trees or nests. The caterpillars also actively ‘shoot’ their stinging hairs as a defense. But they can also be carried away by the wind or vibrations of traffic. You can develop complaints within eight hours of contact with the stinging hairs. Dogs can also get complaints as soon as they come into contact with the stinging hairs. Keep a close eye on your dog or keep it on a leash.
How do you recognize the rash?
A painful, itchy rash of red or pink round bumps or blisters develops on the skin. You can get the rash anywhere on your body, but most often it’s on the arms toward the armpits, neck, chest, stomach, and back. You can also get eye complaints or irritation/inflammation of mucous membranes.
Cabbage and blue tits love oak processionary caterpillars.
What should you do if you see an oak processionary caterpillar?
Arc around the caterpillars. “We mark the trees where nests are observed with a ribbon. If this hasn’t happened yet, you can help us by reporting a public space,” says Peter. Do you see a nest? Please notify us so we can remove the nests. You can do that via this link.
What can you do yourself to combat the oak processionary caterpillar?
Pamper the great tits and blue tits and hang a nesting box in your garden or on your balcony. These birds love oak processionary caterpillars and prefer to eat a lot of them.
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How does the municipality fight the oak processionary caterpillar?
“In The Hague we do not use chemical pesticides to remove the oak processionary caterpillar. The nests are sucked away and then burned,” says green manager Peter. “Because birds, bats and insects love these succulent caterpillars, we, together with our urban ecologists, ensure that the design of our greenery becomes even more attractive for birds, bats and insects. In this way nature will solve part of this problem by itself.”
How do you recognize an oak processionary caterpillar?
When the caterpillars hatch from their eggs, they are orange. As they get older, they turn a gray color with light-colored sides and long stinging hairs. The oak processionary caterpillar becomes about 3 centimeters long.
When does the oak processionary caterpillar cause nuisance?
If the caterpillars are still small, nothing is wrong. They may already have hairs, but not yet the stinging hairs that can cause nuisance. “If the temperature is normal, those stinging hairs will appear around June. That is also the moment when they start to form the striking nests and become clearly visible to people”, says Peter.
You can get the stinging hairs on your body through direct contact with oak trees or nests. The caterpillars also actively ‘shoot’ their stinging hairs as a defense. But they can also be carried away by the wind or vibrations of traffic. You can develop complaints within eight hours of contact with the stinging hairs. Dogs can also get complaints as soon as they come into contact with the stinging hairs. Keep a close eye on your dog or keep it on a leash.
Cabbage and blue tits love oak processionary caterpillars.
What should you do if you see an oak processionary caterpillar?
Arc around the caterpillars. “We mark the trees where nests are observed with a ribbon. If this hasn’t happened yet, you can help us by reporting a public space,” says Peter. Do you see a nest? Please notify us so we can remove the nests. You can do that via this link.
What can you do yourself to combat the oak processionary caterpillar?
Pamper the great tits and blue tits and hang a nesting box in your garden or on your balcony. These birds love oak processionary caterpillars and prefer to eat a lot of them.
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