Processionary caterpillars

cjtill · Post by **cjtill** » Tue 12 Dec 2023 10:53 am

Earlier this year my dog was really ill due to the processionary caterpillars which had come into our garden from next door's pine tree. We arranged for the tree to be sprayed and our neighbour is happy for us to do this every year but does anyone know when is the best time to spray the trees?
Also if they are sprayed too early would they be affected by heavy rainfall and the spraying become ineffective?
Any help would be appreciated as fortunately my dog survived but I don't want her to suffer again this season.
W have spoken to the Belediye but they have not come back to us about the time to spray.

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Tue 12 Dec 2023 3:24 pm

cjtill wrote: ↑
Tue 12 Dec 2023 10:53 am
Earlier this year my dog was really ill due to the processionary caterpillars which had come into our garden from next door's pine tree. We arranged for the tree to be sprayed and our neighbour is happy for us to do this every year but does anyone know when is the best time to spray the trees?
Also if they are sprayed too early would they be affected by heavy rainfall and the spraying become ineffective?
Any help would be appreciated as fortunately my dog survived but I don't want her to suffer again this season.
W have spoken to the Belediye but they have not come back to us about the time to spray.

Have you contacted the forestry department?
Korineum golf club did some spraying the year before last so maybe they will be able to help?

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Tue 12 Dec 2023 7:01 pm

cjtill wrote: ↑
Tue 12 Dec 2023 10:53 am
Earlier this year my dog was really ill due to the processionary caterpillars which had come into our garden from next door's pine tree. We arranged for the tree to be sprayed and our neighbour is happy for us to do this every year but does anyone know when is the best time to spray the trees?
Also if they are sprayed too early would they be affected by heavy rainfall and the spraying become ineffective?
Any help would be appreciated as fortunately my dog survived but I don't want her to suffer again this season.
W have spoken to the Belediye but they have not come back to us about the time to spray.

The nests are formed in the winter months, the emergence of the caterpillars coincides with the spring migration of birds that feed on them. It's difficult to be completely precise as climate conditions come into play. However, the nests are really easy to spot looking like candy floss dangling from the higher branches - as soon as you see them form , spray away.

come_on_aylin · Post by **come_on_aylin** » Tue 12 Dec 2023 8:38 pm

If you use the search engine, top left, looking for 'caterpillars', you will find reports of the arrival of the caterpillars in previous years, usually February/March but sometimes as early as January. Also some tips on treating the trees. Please don't mistake the piles of brown/black caterpillars found on the ground for processionary ones as they are a type of moth and not harmful but best avoided.

cjtill · Post by **cjtill** » Wed 13 Dec 2023 6:48 am

Thank you for your replies. I read in Cyprus today that Iskele region were spraying now which I thought was a bit early but I just want to be cautious to avoid harm to my dogs.

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Wed 13 Dec 2023 5:15 pm

cjtill wrote: ↑
Wed 13 Dec 2023 6:48 am
Thank you for your replies. I read in Cyprus today that Iskele region were spraying now which I thought was a bit early but I just want to be cautious to avoid harm to my dogs.

I think they must be spraying to kill the moths before they get a chance to lay there eggs.... in which case if you also want to do likewise, you could start spraying now.