Increasing biodiversity

Another important step in controlling the oak processionary caterpillar is creating a biodiverse environment. This is a natural environment with many different trees, plant species and animals. Birds are important here because they are a natural enemy of the caterpillars. As a municipality, we have therefore hung nesting boxes in several places. Insects also create a biodiverse environment and, moreover, certain insects eat the eggs of the oak processionary caterpillar.

Furthermore, we ensure that there are more types of flowers in our municipality and we no longer mow away the grass around the trees. In verges we sow special mixtures of flowers and herbs that are attractive to precisely those birds and insects that eat the caterpillars (eggs).

Nesting boxes

Finally, we placed 48 nesting boxes for bats in Geldrop and Mierlo. A field service employee made these boxes in his spare time. Bats catch (nocturnal) butterflies at night. Also the butterflies that were once oak processionary caterpillars. These can then no longer lay eggs.

Do not wrap in plastic

Several news reports mention the use of plastic sheeting to prevent nuisance oak processionary caterpillars. Sometimes this involves wrapping tree trunks with foil. This prevention method makes no sense. The caterpillars hatch from the egg packets laid high up in the oak tree. There they eat from the leaves. So they don't need to get in or out of the tree. The idea of this solution is that the foil would block their walking route. But it doesn't. So don't wrap the trees with plastic.

Municipality removes plastic sheeting

We remove plastic sheeting around trees belonging to the municipality. By doing so, we want to prevent the foil from entering the public space, to which all kinds of birds, hedgehogs, and other animals can die.

Do not use adhesive strips

Oak processionary caterpillars also cannot be controlled with glue bands. In fact, experts say it is counterproductive. Birds, bats and insects, natural enemies of the oak processionary caterpillar, get stuck on a glue strip and die. If the leader of the oak processionary caterpillar is distressed by getting stuck on an adhesive strip, the other caterpillars become confused because contact with the leader is broken. Instead, in a stress reaction, they fire their fire hairs to protect their colony leader.

Health itself for biodiverse environment!

Residents themselves can make a major contribution by increasing local biodiversity. Not only does this combat nuisance, but it's also nice to have nesting birds in your garden and butterflies flocking to blooming flowers. Simple measures you can take are:

• Sow flowering flowers, choosing a native butterfly or bee mixture. These mixtures also contain species that attract predatory insects;
• Plant a hedge or dense shrubs and grow ivy against your fence or garden wall. Low dense shrubs will also suffice. Insect-eating songbirds such as robins, wren, blackbirds and song thrush can find a resting and nesting place here;
• Hang some nesting boxes for tits and for sparrows. Young sparrows are also fed insects;
• Feed in winter. This will tie birds to your garden;
• (Running) Water attracts birds; a bird bath or small fountain works wonders;
• Don't tidy up your garden too neatly. Leave some prunings at the edges out of sight. Cluttered corners provide high wildlife values;
• You can hang special bat boxes in the shade;
• Put a bell on your cat or keep the animal inside during the breeding season.