The Combat

Our approach consists of 3 components:

1. Ecological (natural) control (preventive, to prevent caterpillars)

We try to prevent nuisance by hanging up tit boxes and sowing flowery roadsides that are attractive to the caterpillar's natural enemies. Cabbage and blue tits, parasitic wasps and lacewings that we lure in this way eat the caterpillars. In the spring of 2021, together with IVN, hundreds more tit boxes were hung up. In addition, we mow the roadsides less often, thus maintaining flower-rich roadsides. In the coming years we will further develop this ecological method. Last year (2021) seven flower beds were sown on a trial basis in order to gain more experience.

2. Sucking out nests (from mid-May).

In places where the caterpillar nests are a nuisance, we vacuum out the nests. In principle, we do this in built-up areas on all municipal trees, with the exception of trees in forests. If the number of nests increases enormously, we may have to decide to make choices. After all, specialist extraction with an aerial platform is a very expensive expense and municipal resources are limited.
 

No more use of pesticides (XenTari)

Prior years, we misted several hundred trees at so-called "hot spots"with the biological control agent XenTari during the prevention phase in April. On the advice of the Oak Processionary Moth Knowledge Center, it was decided to stop this part of the control in 2022. Many municipalities no longer use this pesticide when controlling the Oak Processionary Moth, including Son en Breugel.

Questions about ecological control

What is the municipality doing to solve the Oak Processionary Moth problem in the long term?

We make the habitat attractive to the caterpillar's natural enemies. Natural enemies are cabbage and blue tits, parasitic wasps and lacewings. They eat the caterpillars. To attract these enemies, we increasingly sow flower and herb mixtures in the verges, instead of grass. We also mow the verges less to stimulate plant growth. In addition, we hang up tit boxes. The IVN has now made and hung about 200 suet boxes with a grant from the municipality. This action will probably be followed up in the fall.

Can you name a location where you sow the roadside with flower and herb mixtures?

On Lark Avenue, a trial was started this spring with Advanta's StayGreen2 mixture. which was developed specifically for the control of the Oak Processionary Moth. The main purpose of the experiment is to see if our residents like it. If residents like it, we will sow this mixture in several places.

As an individual, what can I do to control the Oak Processionary Moth in the long term?

You can hang suet boxes in your own garden. And you can sow flower and herb mixtures in your own garden. There is no single list of the best varieties yet. Most suppliers have created their own mixtures. These are easy to find via google.

Questions about misting with XenTari

What does the drug XenTari do?

This is a bacterial preparation and contains a common bacterium that paralyzes the Oak Processionary Moth when eating oak leaves.

Which / how many trees do we spray preventively

We spray several hundred trees 2x preventively. We do this at so-called hotspots. These are places where many people come and where the expected nuisance is greatest. 

As an individual, can I also purchase this remedy to mist the trees in my garden?

No, you must have a sprayer's license to do so, and this pesticide is only allowed in public green spaces and not in private homes.

Why is preventive misting no longer possible after mid-May?

Then the effect is no longer optimal. The best effect is obtained when the caterpillars are still young (even before they develop fire hairs).

Is preventive misting harmful to humans and animals?

We use the biological pesticide XenTari. The pesticide is safe for humans, pets, squirrels, birds, fish (in case the pesticide gets into surface water) and bees. However, the pesticide can be harmful to other caterpillars. This depends on the larval stage the caterpillars are in. Therefore, we are cautious about using this pesticide.

Is the drug harmful to ground and surface water?

The agent has no adverse effects on ground or surface water.

Can I, or can my children, walk by during misting without ingesting these bacteria?

The drug is safe for humans. However, there is a chance that people walking by during the spraying may come into contact with the drug. We therefore advise you to avoid the location during the spraying.