Each year there is the continual worry that the Processional Caterpillars that make their nests on the Pine Trees will cause problems for well loved animals. They are usually on the move between January and March and this year are on the move early. Already we have seen nests of a fairly large size with caterpillars leaving the nest. Fortunately, these are not close enough to be a problem to our pups and we only have 3 pine trees close to the house, all of which are small and none of which have any nests them - but they do get a daily inspection.
Many people get rid of the nests themselves by cutting them down and burning them, but this also has it's dangers as the hairs from the caterpillars, which carry the poison can be carried into the air and still affect people and animals. A nest can contain upto 300 caterpillars and that's a lot of hairs flying around! There is a section of the Guardia Civil, called Seprona, which will come and deal with any problem nests.A Google search on Processional Caterpillars will bring up reams of information on them.
2 comments:
I have never heard of these caterpillars. They sound awful. I hope you will be able to keep them at bay. Again out towns are so similar but I have not heard of anything like this here. so sorry about Brian. LL
We were fortunate to learn about these caterpillars and the danger to our dogs before we moved to Spain and our rental villas were no where near any pine trees. When we started looking for somewhere to buy one of the main boxes that needed ticking was that there were no pine trees nearby for the dogs to be affected by. The caterpillars can walk a good distance looking for a place to dig in and pupate. The 3 little ones we have nearby are under threat of being cut down if they become infected - I think they must have heard the threat because so far, they are clear!
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