Beware of oak caterpillars

Beware of oak processionary caterpillars. Also on our campus. Watch trees with ribbons around them: in these trees (nests of) procession caterpillars have already been seen and reported. If possible, do not come near these trees.

Make a report!

If you see a nest of oak processionary caterpillars in a tree with no ribbon around it, report this to the service desk of your building or the central service desk. Please state the exact location in your report and add one or more photos to your report.

Possible health problems and what to do

Anyone who comes into contact with the stinging hairs may develop symptoms such as itching, skin rash, irritation of the eyes or airways. More background information about what to do can be found on this UK website.

How do you recognize the oak processionary caterpillars?

Please find some examples below.

Oak processionary caterpillar
Oak processionary caterpillar
Oak processionary caterpillar
Oak processionary caterpillar

Measures taken

We take a lot of (precautionary) measures on campus. As a precaution, natural enemies of the oak processionary caterpillar, so-called nematodes, are used. These little nematodes find the caterpillars and eventually take the caterpillar out. In addition, CFM takes various measures to strengthen and increase biodiversity so that the natural enemies of the caterpillar are given a chance again. More information on biodiversity can be found on the Sustainability website. We hope this will lead to a reduction in the number of oak processionary caterpillars in the long term. In a natural environment that is balanced and varied, pests such as the oak processionary caterpillar are less likely to occur.

Regular inspections are carried out as well, particularly in the months April - July (the time when most oak processionary caterpillars are present). When oak processionary caterpillars are seen, the tree is marked with a ribbon and the caterpillars are sucked away on a regular basis. All actions and observations made on trees are also recorded in a system in order to be able to take more targeted preventive measures in the future.