Community Gründau starts strong fight against oak processionary spinners!
Community Gründau starts strong fight against oak processionary spinners!
The municipality of Gründau initiated a comprehensive prevention measure to combat the oak processionary spinner in its area on May 11, 2025. The aim of this campaign is to protect around 800 oaks, which are particularly located along bike and hiking trails as well as near daycare centers and on public green spaces. This measure was necessary because the oak processionary moth, a domestic butterfly species, can represent health risks for people, in particular due to the brain hair of the caterpillars, which contain nessel poison and can cause itching, respiratory irritation and other symptoms, as the Federal Environment Agency explains.
A specialist company from Landau was commissioned for the implementation of the control campaign, which uses a destruction procedure. A biodegradable means is used, which is applied to the treetops. This special means is based on a bacterium that is harmless to humans and other insects. It has already been successfully used in similar measures in recent years, which underlines the reliability of the method, reports kinzig.news .
Previous protection of citizens
With this measure, the municipality of Gründau is pursuing an early and targeted approach to protecting the health of the citizens, especially in heavily frequented areas. It is important to carry out the control in coordination with local weather conditions, since the effect of the means can only be guaranteed at certain temperatures and wind conditions.The caterpillars of the oak processionary spinner have increased significantly in recent years, especially in some federal states such as the northeast and southwest of Germany and in parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. Nevertheless, there is a decline in populations in some regions. It is an important measure that helps the community in the eyes of the experts to minimize health risks for the population.
alternatives and regulations
It is pointed out that the use of insecticides should be avoided in the event of a weak infestation and low human use. The Federal Environment Agency recommends implementing alternative measures such as warning signs and barriers in affected forest areas. In the case of professional pest controls, suction of caterpillars or nests can be an option to reduce the strain in the affected areas.
The fighting of the oak processionary spinner is subject to strict regulations. Chemical or biological control measures may only be considered the last instance, and for their use, numerous guidelines, such as compliance with minimum distances to surface waters and the observance of nature conservation regulations, must be preserved. An FFH compatibility test is required if measures are carried out in Natura 2000 areas.
In summary, it can be said that the municipality of Gründau takes an important step with this preventive measure to protect the health of its citizens and at the same time promote environmentally conscious solutions that avoid long -term damage to the trees.| Details | |
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