Processionary caterpillars danger in Haarlem

The Municipality of Haarlem warns citizens to watch out for caterpillars.
Oak processionary caterpillars can cause health problems in humans and animals. That is why the Municipality of Haarlem and Spaarnelanden investigate every year in June whether these caterpillars are in oak trees in public spaces.
Anyone who has ever had the hairs of oak processionary caterpillars on their body knows how annoying this is. A fully grown caterpillar has no less than 700,000 of those microscopic stinging hairs. They cause red spots/bumps/vesicles on the skin that itch or even hurt. These caterpillars are also very annoying for (domestic) animals.Spaarnelanden investigates every year in June whether these caterpillars are in oak trees in public spaces. To better fight them.
What are the symptoms after contact with caterpillars, what does the municipality do? What can you do yourself? Find all the details on the website of the Municipality of Haarlem.
Anyway, never fight caterpillar nests yourself, even if you have found a nest in your garden. Engage a special company for this. Complete control of the caterpillars is difficult, because the caterpillars move and are often not immediately visible.

 

Processionary caterpillars

The oak processionary caterpillar is the larva of a moth. This butterfly lays eggs in the tops of oak trees. The eggs hatch around mid-April. The caterpillar has very small arrow-shaped fire hirs with small barbs. These stinging hairs appear in May and June and can cause complaints for humans and animals.