Oak processionary moth floods Wolfsburg: City warns of dangers!

Oak processionary moth floods Wolfsburg: City warns of dangers!

Overall, things are currently going haywire with the oak processionary moth in Wolfsburg. Today, city residents are particularly urged to exercise caution. In the last few weeks, the number of reports about nests of this native butterfly species has increased noticeably, and even above the level of the previous year, as regionalheute.de reports.

The city administration has already reacted and is marking infected trees with clearly visible marking tapes. These carry information such as “Danger of allergy from oak processionary moths” or “Beware of oak processionary moths” to make citizens aware of the existence of the nests. It is important that these bands are not removed independently, as the control of the nests is carried out by specialized companies that take care of the health risks.

Health hazards caused by stinging hair

The caterpillars become particularly dangerous from the third larval stage, which can appear in the months of April to May. They have stinging hairs that contain stinging venom and can cause skin redness, itching and even respiratory irritation in humans if they come into contact with them. In some cases, even fever and circulatory reactions cannot be ruled out, as the Federal Environment Agency states in its information portal umweltbundesamt.de.

The fight therefore aims to protect people from the health risks. The city must set priorities: sensitive facilities such as kindergartens and schools are dealt with first, followed by sports facilities and public green spaces. However, property owners are responsible for the control on their private land.

Practical tips and information

If you come across oak processionary moth nests, you should report this to the city administration immediately. The service center can be reached by calling 115 or by email at servicecenter@stadt.wolfsburg.de. For further details, the information is also available online at www.wolfsburg.de/eps.

The control measures are well thought out. If the infestation is weak or there is little human use, the use of insecticides should be avoided. Instead, warning signs and barriers are recommended in the affected forest areas to signal people to stay away from the endangered areas.

In the long term, the oak trees themselves are also taken care of. Despite being damaged, the trees can sprout again. However, repeated infestations can cause long-term damage. The city hopes that early reports and measures can aggravate the situation in order to protect the health of the population and preserve nature. More detailed information on the health risks caused by the spread of the oak processionary moth can also be found in spiegel.de.