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Quote: Originally posted by J and S on 23/10/2010

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Hows about using a muzzle with a gauze or linnen inner linning, I think you must keep the dog on a lead and keep a wary eye on the path ways.

 Stew

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Greetings,

I can appreciate your concern but I have to tell you that processionary catapillers can be found all over Spain.

I suggest that instead of being overly concerned, you concentrate on what is being done at places you may stay. After all, if a campsite is ambivolent as to the danger posd by these pests I would imagine you would want to steer a wide margin awaya from, right.?

We were at Benecassim earlier in the year. Whilst we saw no capapillars we did see the cocoons in the trees.

At the site we were at (Bonterra Park) the staff were anal in their approach towards these crittars. (Not literally!!!)

At any report of a cocoon in a tree, out came the 'cherry picker' and the offending branch was removed and the contents destroyed. The cocoons could not be easily be seen and somtimes it was difficult to spot them but unfailingly, the staff did the business.

That was alright as far as the site was concerned but I saw evidence of cocoons in the trees in the locality and I did not see any action being performed by outside agencies.

I think I would rather have a muzzle than be dead, because these little beasties are deadly, however if its so bad then IMHO the answer is dont go.

Stew

We saw them in the Loire at Easter last year.  We erwe not in a campsite but it does indicate how far north in France they are spreading

We had no idea what they were and googled and had quite a shock when we saw how nastly they were

There are some maps of the areas of France affected on a paper produced at Rennes University.  It's all in French, and the maps are towards the end on pages 62 onwards, but they will give you some idea of areas which may be free of these caterpillars. Click here:  Processionary moth caterpillars.

If you google  - tracteur à chenilles processionary de pin - you can find more information, but unfortunately in French.  The problem is if you look it up in English then you'll probably find most sites deal only with England and Wales.

Thanks for that Val - that PDF made for some jolly early morning reading

Also the UK http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-74ABRM deep joy