Oak processionary moths are spreading: a growing health risk!

Oak processionary moths are spreading: a growing health risk!

In recent weeks, concern about the oak processionary moth has noticeably increased in Thuringia. Both communities and citizens are required to deal with the dangers and the necessary control measures. This became clear when the municipality of Unterbreizbach removed a total of 35 webs from trees in June, especially at the festival site near a playground. Mayor Roland Ernst reported that a special vacuum cleaner was used to remove the nests. But that's not the end of the matter, because more than 100 additional nests were discovered and removed by the forestry community in the surrounding forest - an enormous comfort for the local population, but also a sign of the increasing infestation.

Similar measures were also taken in Bad Salzungen, where 17 infected oak trees were discovered during a tree inspection in Pushkin Park. A specialist company was hired to treat the webs with a pesticide varnish. Far more worrying, however, was an incident in Vacha, where a nest caused itching and breathing difficulties among visitors to an event in late June. The city only discovered the web afterwards and had it dealt with immediately. The total costs for the control measures amounted to around 8,000 euros - a significant sum in times of tight budgets.

Further measures and problems

In Vacha, a forest path on the Lohberg was closed for safety reasons to protect passers-by from the dangers of the oak processionary moth. The city of Schmalkalden has also reacted: several pedestrian areas were closed, including the Pfaffenwiese car park, a bus stop and a path on Recklinghäuser Straße, until the end of August. In addition, oak processionary moths were also found at the Hundskopf viewing point in Leimbach near Bad Salzungen at the end of June.

The city of Saalfeld also took preventive measures: In May, several trees and groups of trees were sprayed with a biological preparation to prevent the infestation. The control of the oak processionary moth falls under the Plant Protection and Biocides Act, and both mechanical and chemical control methods are only permitted by professional users. Mechanical suction or scraping of the web nests is often used. Chemical measures are only permitted if infestation has been proven and in the first two larval stages.

The health risks

More and more people are aware of the health risks posed by oak processionary moths. The stinging hairs of these caterpillars contain the nettle poison thaumetoporin, contact with which can lead to caterpillar dermatitis, conjunctivitis and respiratory irritation. Risk groups such as those seeking relaxation, residents, children and forest workers are particularly affected. Furthermore, animals can also suffer health problems through direct contact with the caterpillars or their hair.

The dispersal behavior of the oak processionary moth is worrying. An increased spread of this pest can be observed in the warmer, drier regions of Germany, particularly in areas such as the Franconian Plateau, Berlin, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia. Climate change could significantly expand the areas affected by these pests, making the problem even more significant.

This makes it all the more important to avoid sources of infection and to keep yourself fully informed about the dangers. If you would like to take a closer look at the topic, you will find extensive information at Mirror and that Federal Environment Agency.