The Torrent Town Hall, next to the public company Nous Espais Torrent SA, launches a campaign to control the pine processionary caterpillar in the municipality's green areas and public spaces. The action will focus on gardens, early childhood and primary education centers and other municipal facilities.
In recent years there has been observed greater presence of the pest in untreated pines, with the inconvenience and risks that this entails. For this reason, the Municipal Gardening Service reinforces its commitment to prevention in autumn, when treatments are most effective and minimize problems in spring.
Scope and objectives of the campaign
The municipal initiative seeks reduce the impact of the processionary caterpillar both in the impact on trees as in the health of citizens. The plan will be applied especially in sensitive environments such as parks, schoolyards and traffic areas, prioritizing the safety of children and pets.
According to the council, in previous campaigns they have tried thousands of public pines with very positive results, which has significantly reduced the incidents reported by residents. The continuation of this operation aims to consolidate this trend and speed up the response in the face of new spotlights.
Risks: for the pine forest and for health
The pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is known for its rows of caterpillars and for its stinging hairs, which come off and remain suspended. In trees it causes intense defoliation and loss of vigor, compromising its growth and phytosanitary status.
In people, and especially in childhood, it can cause skin irritations, allergic reactions and respiratory problems. It also poses a significant risk to Pets, which can suffer serious injuries if they come into contact with the tracks.
Main treatment: endotherapy in autumn
The axis of the campaign is the endotherapy, a technique that involves injecting nutrients or phytosanitary substances into the tree trunk so that they are distributed throughout its vascular system. This methodology prevents the chemical atomization in the environment and is harmless to people and animals.
In addition to its selective nature, endotherapy allows focus the action on each specimen and do it at any time of day. It is especially effective among september and december, an ideal time to slow down the biological cycle of the pest and contain its incidence in the run-up to spring.
Complementary measures at sensitive points
When the situation requires it, the municipal device relies on complementary actions in specific areas: installation of pheromone traps for monitoring and capturing males, biological treatments in early stages, manual removal of nests and use of trap collars during periods of caterpillar descent.
These tools are applied in a selective and respectful of biodiversity, avoiding indiscriminate treatment and prioritizing security in public spaces such as parks and school areas.
Service to individuals: inspection and request
Nous Espais offers residents a inspection service to assess and carry out endotherapy treatments in private plots, with special attention to the undeveloped plots, where the lack of prevention has increased the presence of the plague.
Applications can be submitted from 6 from October to 9 from NovemberAfter the request, municipal technicians will contact the interested parties to inspect the trees, assess the viability of the treatment and agree on a date for the intervention; once the established cost has been paid, the treatment will be implemented.
For more information, the Gardening Service keeps the telephones operational 96 155 15 09 y 96 156 54 56, as well as emails jardineria@nousespais.es y nousespais@nousespais.es, channels through which queries and notifications are answered.
Call for neighborhood collaboration
The Department of Urban Planning and Environment emphasizes that the early detection and public reporting of potential outbreaks are crucial to reducing damage and avoiding health problems. Cooperation on the ground, along with technical response, Mark the difference in times of greater risk.
Action tips
In the presence of caterpillars or nests, it is recommended to follow some basic safety guidelines to protect people and trees while municipal teams act.
- Do not touch or step on the caterpillars, even if they appear inactive.
- Keep to children and pets away from the affected areas
- Report nests or processions to the enabled telephones and emails
- Seek medical attention in case of an allergic reaction.
With a preventive approach based on endotherapy and selective measures, the reinforcement in sensitive areas and neighborhood involvement, Torrent is making progress in protecting its trees and public health. The combination of effective treatments, clear information and institutional coordination allows us to keep under control one of the most problematic pests in urban Mediterranean environments.
