Brown tail moth
Why is important to control brown tail moth’s?
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Brown Tail Moth caterpillars have small hairs all over their bodies,
which can break off very easily and irritate the skin, in some cases
severely. Some people can also suffer a type of asthmatic reaction.
Minor skin irritations should be washed immediately with hot soapy
water and calamine lotion applied if necessary. If you have serious of
persistent symptoms, for example of the hairs go in to your eyes or are
inhaled, you should see a doctor.
They can also be a garden pest, quickly stripping trees and shrubs of
foliage.
How can you identify a brown tail moth?
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Caterpillars: About 1” long, with 2 red spots on its
back. Covered in brown hair which is responsible for
skin irritation.
Moths: White winged with a brown body. The female has a bushy
brown hairy tail (hence the name). These moths are nocturnal.
Life Cycle
In order to identify these moths accurately it is important know the
different stages of the insect throughout the year.
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Mid July: At this time of year the moths mate, laying eggs covered
in small brown hairs on the underside of leaves and bushes.
These bushes most commonly are of the Hawthorn, Blackthorn or
related fruit bush variety, although it can include a wide variety of
other trees.
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Late Summer: In August/September time eggs hatch and fed on
the foilage, turning the leaves a brown ‘scorched’ colour.
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Winter: Caterpillars weave a web like structure in the bush or tree
which they use to hibernate.
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Late Spring: Caterpillars emerge from their hibernation to feed on
the surrounding foilage.
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Late June: Caterpillars turn into black chrysalis.
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Mid July: Chrysalis hatches into adult moth (described above).
Prevention and treatment
Because treatment can require specialist equipment and skills, one of our
pest control officers will be happy to advise you on the best solution for
you. Always wear gloves and goggles and cover exposed areas of skin if
you do carry out treatment yourself.
Depending upon the time of year and the stage of development at which
the moth is at there are two main methods of eliminating the pest.
Winter (Nov-Mar): During the winter the caterpillars can be destroyed
whilst they are in hibernation in their webs. These webs can be
completely cut out of trees and bushes, eliminating between 300-400
caterpillars per web, and burnt in a responsible manner.
Summer (May-Sept): Another way of getting rid of these moths is to
spray the bushes and trees affected, again, eliminating the moth at the
caterpillar stage. Pesticides available for this type of treatment are
available and can be bought from either pet shops or various DIY
superstores.
(Note: read the label carefully on all chemicals and pesticides
before use).
How to contact us
If you would like further advice or need to make a pest control
appointment please contact us.
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Phone:
Fax:
Minicom:
E-mail:
In writing:
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Website:
020 8215 3010
020 8227 5184
020 8227 5755
[email protected]
Barking & Dagenham Direct
2nd Floor Roycraft House
15 Linton Road
Barking IG11 8HE
www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk