Pine Processionary Caterpillar
It may be nice to see a line of furry caterpillars nose to tail, but these apparently harmless critters can cause considerable irritation and injury. The hairs of the pine processionary caterpillar are toxic and highly likely to cause skin irritation and even skin necrosis. The caterpillar sheds the hairs when threatened. Curious children and dogs are particularly at risk.
Affected trees are easily identified by the silk nests in the branches, each filled with caterpillars. Treating Pine Processionary Moth is seasonal. When the conditions are optimal the caterpillars instinctively head down the trunk to the ground to pupate. This is where humans and animals may come into contact with them.
Great tits can eat up to 500 caterpillars a day, in their rush to feed their chicks, so a bird box nearby can be an effective means of control.
Otherwise, we recommend mounting physical traps on trees - 'Ecopiège' - between January and May. The caterpillars follow each other into the trap. No harmful chemicals are involved. Applicateur 3D is authorised to supply and fit the Ecopiège traps.
For persistent infestations, we can install pheromone traps between May and September to attract and capture the male moths, so that fewer female moths can mate and lay eggs, thereby breaking the reproductive cycle.