Record infestation of oak processionary moths threatens Dessau-Roßlau!

Record infestation of oak processionary moths threatens Dessau-Roßlau!

There is alarming news to report in Dessau-Roßlau this year: the infestation of trees by oak processionary moths has reached a record. The voracious caterpillars are gnawing on more oak trees than ever before, which has prompted the city administration to invest heavily in combating them. Almost half a million euros have already been spent to combat the vermin. The districts of Mildensee, the south of Törten and the Mosigkauer Heide are particularly affected; the latter has been identified as a hotspot where the caterpillars are particularly numerous. According to radiosaw.de, the weather in late spring provided ideal conditions for the pest to spread.

The city administration attributes the sharp increase in infestations to the dry and warm weather from March to June. Such temperatures are like a paradise for the harmful caterpillars, which live in colonies and form round nests that can reach the size of a football. The oak processionary moths are not only a problem for the trees, but their stinging hairs can also cause serious health problems in people. These lead to skin irritation and breathing difficulties, especially if they come into contact with hair. According to weather.com, the stinging hairs are particularly dangerous from the third larval stage onwards and can cause serious reactions upon contact.

Control measures and challenges

The city uses various measures to combat the oak processionary moth. In addition to the use of chemical products, natural control strategies are also pursued, such as establishing birds that also feed on the caterpillars. This year, air support was reactivated to combat it. This came after a lull the previous year, and the ability to carry out the combat from the air shows the urgency of the situation. The total cost of the fight amounted to around 410,000 euros, as reported by weather.com.

The Federal Environment Agency offers a further look at the problem. From May onwards, when the caterpillars grow to their maximum size of up to 4 cm, the risk of contact with the stinging hairs increases significantly. The caterpillars feed primarily on oak leaves and live in larger communities. They retreat to their nests until mid-June to pupate. These nests are even more dangerous because they contain high concentrations of stinging hairs, which can cause allergies and irritation in humans and animals (umweltbundesamt.de).

Precautions and prevention

For the population in Dessau-Roßlau, this means that increased caution is required. It is recommended to avoid affected areas and take warnings from local authorities seriously. Information about this is regularly published in the local press. Anyone who comes into contact with the stinging hairs should immediately change their clothes, clean them and shower thoroughly. All clothing should be washed at a minimum of 60°C to remove any possible residue.

While the city is doing everything it can to protect the health of its citizens and save the trees, it remains to be seen how the situation surrounding the oak processionary moth will develop in the coming years. The challenges posed by climate change could further encourage the spread of these pests, which will require a proactive strategy in the long term.