In the warm summer months most of us look forward to enjoying our gardens and local green spaces. But with the lovely flowers and lush greenery comes an unwelcome visitor: the Brown Tail Moth caterpillar. These seemingly small creatures, with their hairy bodies and tendency to live in groups, pose a real health risk that goes way beyond just munching on your plants. Here at Eradipest, we’re all about keeping your property and your family safe, and knowing about this pest is the best place to start.

What Are Brown Tail Moth Caterpillars?

The Brown Tail Moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) is a species native to the UK and parts of Europe, but its populations can fluctuate dramatically, sometimes reaching outbreak levels. It’s during the larval (caterpillar) stage that this insect becomes a public health concern.

What to Look For:

• The Caterpillars Themselves: Brown Tail Moth caterpillars are distinctive. They are dark brown, covered in tufts of reddish-brown hairs, and feature a broken white line running down each side of their body. Crucially, they have two prominent, bright orange or red dots on their back towards the tail end. They can grow up to 30-38mm in length.
• Their Nests: Perhaps the most obvious sign of an infestation, especially during the winter months, are their silken nests. These look like dense, white, or greyish ‘tents’ or ‘webs’ woven tightly around leaves and twigs, typically at the tips of branches. They resemble cotton wool and can contain hundreds, sometimes thousands, of hibernating caterpillars. In spring, as temperatures rise, the caterpillars emerge from these nests to feed.

Here’s a typical nest which shows the webbing with a group of caterpillars.

Which Plants Are Affected?

Brown Tail Moth caterpillars are not fussy eaters and can decimate a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. Common host plants include:

• Hawthorn
• Blackthorn
• Roses (including wild roses)
• Fruit Trees (Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum)
• Oak
• Privet
• Brambles
• Various other broadleaved trees and shrubs.

Their voracious feeding can lead to significant defoliation, leaving plants looking bare and stressed. While most healthy plants will recover, repeated infestations can weaken them over time.

The Hidden Danger: Health Risks to Humans

The real concern with Brown Tail Moth caterpillars lies not just in their appetite for foliage, but in the microscopic, barbed hairs that cover their bodies. These hairs contain toxins and are easily shed, becoming a significant irritant.

• Skin Irritation (Dermatitis): The most common reaction is an itchy skin rash, similar to a severe nettle rash or poison ivy. The hairs can become embedded in the skin, causing redness, bumps, and intense itching that can last for several days or even weeks. Scratching can worsen the reaction and spread the hairs.
• Respiratory Issues: If the hairs are inhaled, they can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma-like symptoms. This is particularly concerning for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma or hay fever.
• Eye Irritation: Hairs coming into contact with the eyes can cause redness, itching, and inflammation.

The danger isn’t limited to direct contact with a live caterpillar. The hairs can remain toxic even after being shed and can be blown around by the wind, settling on clothes, outdoor furniture, washing lines, and in the air for up to three years. This means you can suffer a reaction without ever seeing a caterpillar.

Who is at Risk?

Due to the airborne nature of the irritating hairs, a wide range of people can be affected, especially those who spend time outdoors in infested areas.

• Children: Young children are particularly vulnerable as they are less aware of the risks, more likely to play near bushes, and often have more sensitive skin.
• Gardeners and Landscapers: Those working directly with plants in affected areas are at high risk.
• Outdoor Workers: Construction workers, utility workers, or anyone working near infested vegetation.
• Residents: People living in properties surrounded by infested hedges or trees.
• Public Space Users: Anyone visiting parks, playgrounds, school grounds, sports fields, nature reserves, or even just walking down a street with affected plants.
• Individuals with Allergies/Asthma: These groups are at higher risk of severe reactions if hairs are inhaled.

Given that the hairs can travel on the wind, even areas a considerable distance from the initial infestation are not entirely safe, making Brown Tail Moth caterpillars a significant public health nuisance.

Professional Treatment is Key To Protect the Public

While local councils may offer some advice or support, DIY removal of Brown Tail Moth caterpillars and their nests is strongly discouraged due to the significant health risks. Attempting to prune out nests without proper protective equipment can release thousands of irritating hairs into the air, causing severe reactions to yourself and potentially others nearby.

This is where professional pest controllers like Eradipest come in. We offer safe, effective, and environmentally responsible solutions to manage Brown Tail Moth infestations, focusing on “protecting the public.”

Our approach typically involves:

1. Thorough Survey: Identifying all infested areas and assessing the extent of the problem, particularly crucial in public spaces like schools, parks, and business premises where a large number of people could be exposed.
2. Manual Nest Removal: During the winter months (November to March), when caterpillars are hibernating within their silken nests, these can often be carefully pruned out. Our technicians wear full protective clothing (respirators, goggles, gloves, sealed suits) to ensure no hairs come into contact with their skin or are inhaled. The removed nests are then safely disposed of, often by incineration, to destroy the caterpillars and their toxic hairs.
3. Targeted Insecticide Application: In the spring and early summer when caterpillars are actively feeding, targeted insecticide treatments can be applied. We use professional-grade products that are highly effective against the caterpillars while minimising impact on non-target species. These applications are carefully timed and precisely delivered to specific affected foliage.
4. Preventative Measures: We can advise on long-term management strategies and inspect properties for potential re-infestation.

By choosing professional pest control, you ensure the problem is dealt with safely and effectively, preventing the spread of irritating hairs and protecting everyone who uses or passes by your property. Don’t let Brown Tail Moth caterpillars turn your outdoor spaces into an itchy nightmare. If you suspect an infestation, particularly in an area where children gather, contact Eradipest today for a free assessment and peace of mind. Your health, and the health of your community, is our priority.