processionary caterpillar nests

Hi, If you search here on the forum caterpillar/nests: there are some methods of dealing with these pests & their dangers.(their irritants etc). You will see (in this area start to fall (some down the trunk of the pines) from their nests and group up before they process towards south). General insecticide (on these groups or lines) helps.Certainly kids & dogs keep well away.

V

I have posted on this before. (It´s too late now, I realise), but its worth remembering the moths will infect the pines around August this year. A good insecticide spray, where you see the moths evening are settling, will keep them (some) at bay before they hatch many more!

V

also: worth reading: "Dog Walkers beware"  by:  Te Dog Artist

V

How many pine trees have you got?  If you're wife goes to the co-op in town, they sell thick grease in the containers you put in grease guns. Each tube of grease will do about 8 trees. Get a knife and put about an inch thick ring of grease around each tree trunk (below any branches) and when the caterpillars come down they don't like to cross the grease. When they're all bunched up around the trunk, spray them with hairspray and pick them off with a stick into a container - a paint tub is ideal. Then, unfortunately, the only way to deal with them is to burn them. It's much easier to deal with them while they're still on the tree rather than when they're on the ground. In my experience, they tend to come down in the mornings. You need to keep checking the trees - I've checked them and there's nothing, then I've checked again about 20 minutes later and there's 50 of them round the tree. Wear glasses, gloves, a hat and scarf around your face.

It's a pain, but it's the only way at this stage. If you're kids or pets come into contact with them they need IMMEDIATE medical attention. Don't mess about.

Good advice. Again. Hair-spray may help. General spray insecticide kills. Do remember. The pests fall down from nests as well as process.

V

Thanks  V & Charlie,

They are falling out of nests 20ft up. very difficult to get to, so this is last case reactive not pre-active . Probably need to chop branches down and destroy. On to my next question... tree surgeons near Sax? 

Cheers for the advice.

Chris

On the case. Other method DOES work. For the nests (not yet fallen). If you are any marksman. A air-rifle hole or three, alows a parasite to kill the colony before decent. I am not joking this time! V

Tim Taylor is a gardener and tree surgeon. His phone number is 711 003 814.

Thanks Charlie.

Chris