Brown Tail Moth
Size and Colour
The caterpillars themselves are between 7mm and 38mm long, dark brown in colour with a dotted white line down each side. They have two distinctive red dots in the middle of their back near the tail. The whole body is covered in tufts of brown hairs.
Occurrence
The caterpillars can be found on practically any type of tree or shrub. You might see the 'tents' in which the caterpillars shelter in cold weather. These are formed out of fine whitish silk and may incorporate a number of leaves. A single tent can contain hundreds of caterpillars. The tent might also be surrounded by an area of dead leaves.
Habits
The Brown Tail Moth is found in considerable numbers along the coast of South-East England and can commonly be found in Fareham. This information gives advice and information on how you can help to prevent its spread and prevent you and your family suffering from the painful rash that the caterpillars cause. The caterpillar will readily release tiny hairs which can cause a painful rash when they come into contact with a person's skin. In addition, the hairs can be breathed in and this can cause more serious problems, especially for asthmatics and hay fever sufferers. The eyes can also be seriously affected by the hairs.
How should they be treated?
Although the caterpillars can be sprayed with insecticide when they are outside their tents, this is not effective against those caterpillars that remain inside. The only sure way of eliminating an infestation is by destroying the tents during the colder months of the year, when all the caterpillars are hibernating inside them.
Can I treat them myself?
Yes, but you should know the risks of doing so and the precautions to be taken. Many of the irritant hairs from the caterpillars are bound up in the silk tents and can easily become detached when the tents are removed from the tree.
The following method of treatment and precautions should reduce the risk of being affected:
- Wear good protective clothing, preferably garments that can be boiled after use, and which can be made tight at the cuffs and ankles.
- Cover as much of your bare skin as possible by wearing gloves, a hood, boots and goggles.
- If you are using a ladder, get someone to hold it steady.
- Carefully remove the tents from the tree or shrub by cutting the branch or twig to which it is attached with secateurs. either
- Burn the tents if you can do so safely and without causing nuisance to neighbours; or
- Place in plastic bags (one inside a second), seal tightly and take the bags to the Council's amenity tip. There is no charge made.
- Wash protective clothing in hot (boiling if possible) water.
- You are strongly advised not to attempt to deal with an infestation if you:
- are asthmatic
- suffer from hay fever
- have sensitive skin; or
- suffer from eczema.
If the infestation is of such a size or location that considerable disturbance of the tents is inevitable, it would not be wise to deal with the problem yourself.
If you feel you cannot, or do not wish to carry out the treatment yourself, the Council would be pleased to give an estimate to carry out the work for you. If you are in receipt of benefits the Council may be able to carry out the work for you free of charge.
What if I get a rash?
If the rash is serious or does not clear within 2-3 days, see your doctor. Some relief can be obtained by applying calamine lotion or a proprietary cold spray, available from chemists.
Please note:
If you have an infestation in a tree covered by a Tree Preservation Order or in any tree in a Conservation Area, you must not carry out any treatment without first consulting the Planning Department.
Please take action:
If you think you may have an infestation on your land but are not sure, the Council would be pleased to investigate. Should you see any infestation on any other land within the Borough of Fareham please inform the Council.
To report an infestation or to ask for advice please email us or telephone 01329 236100.
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