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Oak processionary moth in Havelland: Red alert for health!
The health risk from oak processionary moths is increasing in Havelland. Control measures and risks are analyzed.
Oak processionary moth in Havelland: Red alert for health!
As summer unfolds in Germany with its warm days, communities and citizens are increasingly struggling with an undesirable side effect. The Oak processionary moth, a native species of butterfly, causes health concerns and forestry problems. In particular, its caterpillars, which produce stinging hairs from April and May onwards, contain nettle poison, which can cause itching, skin rashes and breathing problems on contact.
The health risk does not only exist during the infestation. Even after the caterpillars disappear, the hair and larval skins left behind are a potential threat. This also confirms that Federal Environment Agency, which indicates that symptoms such as skin redness, eye irritation and even allergic shock reactions may occur.
Control measures in the region
The matter is being taken seriously in the Havelland district. A list of affected district roads was created here in order to plan targeted control measures. In May, 726 oak trees were treated using both chemical and biological measures. An interesting aspect is the consideration hoopoe to use as a natural enemy to control the caterpillar population. However, it remains to be seen how effective this approach will actually be.
Financial resources should also not be neglected. The average cost of control is around 5,000 euros per year for soil control and 7,000 euros for suctioning off the caterpillars. In total, the region spends around 12,000 euros annually on these measures.
Health risks and precautions
The oak processionary moth has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in the northeast, southwest and North Rhine-Westphalia. The increased infestation in cities like Rhinow has led to information about this health risk being collected and forwarded to specialist companies for extraction. The Mirror points out that these caterpillars can pose a health risk even with weak infestations and little human use.
To protect the population, warning signs and barriers should be set up in affected forest areas. Experts recommend using chemical or biological control agents only when alternatives are not sufficient to prevent damage to non-target species.
The essential question remains: How can we successfully combat the spread of the oak processionary moth without endangering the environment and at the same time protecting people's health? The discussion about sustainable control measures is in full swing and it will be exciting to see which solutions ultimately prove effective.