Original post on www.nhnieuws.nl
As long as almost everyone is indoors, few people are bothered by the oak processionary caterpillar. But when we are finally allowed to go outside again, it would be nice if there weren’t too many of those itchy stinging hairs floating through the air. The fight against it will therefore start in the coming weeks, although this may also be jeopardised by the corona crisis.
“You can’t imagine that we will soon be able to go outside again and that the oak processionary caterpillar will throw a spanner in the works,” says Richard Piké of Van der Velde Pest Control Service in Amstelveen.
From about May onwards, the animals get the dreaded hairs. To protect themselves from these hairs, the pest control agents must wear gloves and protective suits. Because such suits are given priority to healthcare during the corona crisis, there is a threat of a shortage for processionary caterpillar fighters, NRC reports. The Association of Gardeners and Landscapers (VHG) expects to run out of stock after the first few weeks.
Enough resources
Piké’s own stock has been up to scratch since the start of the corona crisis. “We’ve already done some shopping this winter. We’ll see if it’s enough.” Van der Velde Pest Control Service has bought more pesticides than they used last year. “At every location where we work, we need a new suit.” It is expected that there will be slightly more oak processionary caterpillars than last year.
The first part of the control will start in a week. The eggs will hatch in the coming weeks, says Piké. “Then we will treat the trees with an organic product. The caterpillar eats from the bud or leaf. As a result, the digestive tract crystallizes and the caterpillar dies.” Van der Velde works throughout North Holland for municipalities, Rijkswaterstaat, schools, hospitals and private individuals.
In addition to pest control, a natural enemy of the oak processionary caterpillar is also brought into play. In places where the caterpillar causes a lot of nuisance every year, birdhouses have recently been put up, in the hope that great will take up residence and eat the caterpillars.
Nuisance? Van der Velden fights within 24 hours!
The oak processionary caterpillar can be a nuisance for a long time, even when the butterflies have fledged. In addition, there will be more caterpillars in our country this year. To prevent unpleasant complaints, it is therefore important that you are alert to the presence of processionary caterpillars in your neighbourhood. Do you think you are suffering from a processionary caterpillar infestation? Do not hesitate and immediately call in Van der Velden Pest Control Service to combat them in a professional manner. We will contact you within 24 hours if you have a request. Please contact us via call me back. You can also reach us via the contact form. Request a quote, get the costs and make an appointment right away. We control processionary caterpillars in Amsterdam, Amersfoort, Amstelveen, Almere, Haarlem, IJmuiden, Hoofddorp, Uithoorn, Utrecht, ‘t Gooi and Zeist, among others. With Pest Control Service Van der Velden you will be free of pests again in no time!
