In the coming period, the municipality of Roermond will do everything it can to prevent nuisance from the oak processionary caterpillar as much as possible.
That is why fighters are going to spray oak trees this week before the caterpillars get stinging hairs. Because it is precisely those stinging hairs that can cause complaints such as itching, skin rashes and irritated eyes.
The whole day long
Gardening company Herman Vaessen from Maasbree will spray thousands of oak trees around footpaths and bicycle paths, playgrounds, roads and cemeteries. The outside area of the municipality is the first to turn. The work is expected to be completed within three weeks. Due to the short control period, work is also done in the evening and at night.
Also read: These men make sure you don’t get itchy
biological agent
A biological agent is blown into the trees with a spray gun. According to the municipality, the pesticide is not harmful to humans and animals. However, the spray gun can cause some noise nuisance.
Birds and no oaks
But the municipality also announces that preventive control measures will be stopped in some places from this year. Roermond opts for a natural control method: the use of birds or parasitic flies that eat the caterpillars.
The municipality also wants to plant fewer or virtually no oak trees. This should also help to prevent nuisance in the future.