Brown Tail Moth

Brown Tail Moth infestations have increased, especially in the southern parts of the UK. They are not uncommon in the Walton-on-Thames and Molesey areas!

It is important to control these infestations for two reasons:

• they can affect people's health
• they can quickly strip trees and shrubs of foliage.

Description

The caterpillar is black/grey in colour with tufts of ginger brown hairs and two orange spots near the tail. The moth has greyish white wings and a brown tail. During cold winter months when the trees are bare the caterpillars hibernate in greyish silken "tents" usually found at the tips of branches. In Spring as the weather becomes warmer they leave the tents to forage for food.

Control measures

Please read the following carefully before attempting to remove an infestation.

The simplest way to control infestations is to snip out and dispose of any tents, and the twigs they are attached to, before the caterpillars emerge in the Spring. Because of the nature of the pest it is recommended that the tents be burnt, in a responsible manner on site, or placed in a sealed plastic bag and disposed of in a dustbin. Avoid disturbing the tents when removing them and protect yourself by wearing gloves, goggles, and cover exposed areas of skin.

A number of |private pest control companies will, for a fee, carry out treatments on your behalf. Details can be obtained either from Yellow Pages or from the |Environmental Health & Licensing Team - although we do not hold precise details of which contractors treat this unusual pest.

Why you need to be careful!

The caterpillars have small toxic barbed hairs all over their bodies, which can break off easily and irritate the skin - in some cases severely. Some people can suffer a type of asthmatic reaction.

Suggested treatment for irritation

Minor skin irritations should be washed immediately with hot soapy water and calamine lotion applied as necessary. Serious or persistent symptoms, for example hairs penetrating the eyes or being inhaled, should be seen by a doctor.

How you can help

It is advisable to inspect your garden occasionally in order to control the spread of this caterpillar and moth.

To enable us to maintain accurate records of affected parts of the borough if you identify any Brown Tail Moth tents within your garden or in the local area, |please contact us.