Several city councils have launched specific campaigns to control of the pine processionary caterpillar with the aim of protecting the trees and reducing risks to the population. The chosen technique is endotherapy, an intervention directed at the interior of the tree that minimizes the use of dispersive products and prioritizes the safety of neighbors and pets.
These actions are being developed in Spain, with initiatives like those in Tres Cantos and Los Barrios, where work is already underway and is planned preventively to act before the characteristic pockets of the pest form.
Municipal treatments: endotherapy in urban pines
Among its advantages are the precision in the application, the minor environmental impact and protection of citizens and other plant and animal species present in the parks. While the work is being carried out, extreme caution is advised in areas with affected pine trees, and municipal notices should be followed for a safe coexistence.
Notable performances in Spain
The municipal official has stressed that this is a preventive application, focused on stopping it before it completes its cycle and forms pockets, and that these actions have a direct impact on the tree health and the neighborhood well-beingThe City Council will continue with periodic reviews and specific actions based on the needs identified.
En Tres Cantos (Madrid), the City Council has activated the treatment plan against the pine processionary caterpillar with plant endotherapy, with special attention to the northern part of the municipality. Work has begun on roads such as Asturias, Austria and Bulgaria, and will be spread throughout areas with pine trees to reduce the impact of the pest in parks and streets.
When to act and associated risks
Municipal services emphasize the importance of intervention before the pocketsthat is to say early stages of biological cycle of the plague. This moment favors the effectiveness of the treatment and reinforces the prevention in urban environments.
Contact with the stinging hairs of the processionary caterpillar can cause skin and eye irritations, as well as respiratory discomfort. In the case of pets, ingestion or contact with the tongue can cause serious damage and even suffocation, so it is recommended to act with speed and consult with professionals if you have any suspicions.
Recommendations for citizens
To minimize risks in areas with pine trees and possible pockets, the municipalities suggest avoid contact with caterpillars, respect the work perimeters and notify the city council in the event of any incident. These guidelines help maintain safety while treatment progresses.
- Do not touch bags or caterpillars; keep children away.
- Keep dogs on a leash and prevent them from sniffing or licking leftovers on the ground.
- Respect the signage and work areas during the interventions.
- Report sightings to municipal services for controlled removal.
Coordination between local authorities and technical staff is enabling the deployment of endotherapy in the most vulnerable areas. With work already underway in Los Barrios and Tres Cantos and intervention at early stages, the aim is to reduce the presence of the pest and its spread. health risks in public spaces during the critical season.
