Stuttgart warns of dangerous animal - threat to humans and dogs

Created: 04/27/2022, 13:25

By: Nadja Pohr

Contact with oak processionary moths is very dangerous.

Their stinging hairs can cause anything from allergic reactions to shortness of breath.

© Friso Gentsch/dpa

The city of Stuttgart warns citizens of poisonous animals that are spreading throughout the city.

Affected areas should be avoided at all costs.

Stuttgart - More and more dangerous animals settle in Germany's regions.

Extinct animal species such as the wolf are increasingly returning to Baden-Württemberg.

Since 2015, the number of wolf sightings in the forests of the southwest has been steadily increasing.

But more and more wild animals are now also venturing into the urban area of ​​Stuttgart.

The dangerousness of some creatures does not always depend on their size.

With the Argentine ant, the "largest predator in the world" has found its way into the districts of Baden-Württemberg.

According to experts, the insect poses a major threat to the ecosystem of the region. But the city of Stuttgart is now warning its citizens of another animal, as BW24 reports.

Stuttgart: Oak processionary moth poses a danger to humans and dogs

There are several cases of so-called oak processionary moths in the state capital.

The caterpillars have infested around 1,700 oak trees in the region and can be quite dangerous for people, but also for dogs.

Contact with the poisonous caterpillar hairs (stinging hairs), which are easily carried by the wind, can lead to allergic reactions with itching and a skin rash.

But also eye inflammation, shortness of breath and fever can be symptoms after contact with the stinging hairs.

The oak processionary caterpillars are among the so-called "forest-typical dangers".

The affected areas should therefore be avoided for the time being.

The city of Stuttgart reports that the outdoor areas of kindergartens, schools, swimming pools, heavily frequented streets as well as parks and sports facilities are mostly affected.

In recent years, the forest areas of Fasanengarten near Weilimdorf and Waldebene Ost have been particularly affected.

The caterpillars of the oak processionary moth can be controlled from the beginning to the end of May.

Fighting the dangerous caterpillars should be left to professionals

If an affected tree is discovered, the experts advise not to touch the caterpillars and nests and leave the fight to professionals.

This is done first by leaf sprouting.

The areas can then be walked on again immediately after the treatment.

It can happen that initially not all caterpillars of the oak processionary moth disappear.

In a further step, nests that appear are removed by suction.

The city asks that discovered nests be reported with a photo and the exact location.

This can be done via idea and complaint management or by email to poststelle.67-eps@stuttgart.de.

Anyone who comes close to oak processionary moths should protect sensitive skin areas such as the neck, neck and forearms.

If you come into contact with caterpillar hair, a hot shower can help.

The clothes should then be washed at 40 degrees.

Antihistamines can help with the itching.

However, a doctor should be consulted in the event of severe allergic reactions.