The City Council initiates a treatment against the processionary caterpillar to avoid health problems in people and pets.

The Consistory will apply 2,800 injections in pine trees located in green areas, public parks and in the vicinity of schools.

The Estepona City Council is carrying out a campaign to eliminate the processionary caterpillar from the pines of the city, an action that is done periodically because of the damage that this insect can cause both in the trees, since it seriously affects the foliage and weakens them, as well as in people and pets.

The pine processionary is the first Spanish forest pest and opens the way to other opportunistic pests, hence the importance of acting against it. The caterpillar and its stinging hairs are also a public health problem, causing not only hives but also allergic reactions.

Thus, to combat this insect, the Consistory will apply a total of 2,800 injections in pine trees, at a rate of 3 applications per specimen, although in the large ones it has even supplied 5 units. The City Council has focused this action in public parks, in large areas of pine forests, in the vicinity of schools and in green areas.

The products are applied by means of endotherapy, an alternative method of phytosanitary treatment of urban trees with low environmental impact, as it does not release chemicals into the environment. In addition, it is fast, simple and without investment in machinery, which also saves on water and energy consumption. The applicator operators are part of the gardening staff, who have received the necessary training and have the phytosanitary applicator’s license required by RD 1311.

The best application strategy against the processionary moth is preventive treatment at the beginning of October. This treatment is included in the annual phytosanitary calendar of the municipal green areas, and the action protocol is managed and supervised by a Phytosanitary Advisor, who prepares both the annual calendar and the previous advisory document. On the other hand, the work plan complies with the regulations of Royal Decree 1311/2012 currently in force.