Plague of Hairy Caterpillars Which Casue Rashes, Headaches and Breathing Problems Invades Britain
Daily Mail Reporter
A plague of hairy super caterpillars that can cause breathing problems, severe skin irritations and headaches is sparking health alerts across Britain.
Brown tail moth caterpillars each have up to two million brown hairs which can break off into the air and cause severe allergic reactions.
Previously only found on the south-east coast the insects have been swarming north over the last few years thanks to Britain's increasingly warm weather.
Look out: The brown tail moth caterpillar has hairs which can cause painful rashes and severe allergic reactions
Thousands of the moths have invaded a housing estate near Trowbridge, Wiltshire, where worried residents and their children are coming out in itchy rashes.
Other sightings have been made throughout Essex, Sussex and Kent, with a family restaurant near Folkstone forced to close part of its car park over health fears.
Julie Payne, 35, who is 25-weeks pregnant and lives on the affected housing estate in Hilperton, Wilts., said yesterday that the caterpillars were 'everywhere'.
She said: 'Every time we went into the garden we found caterpillars everywhere. Then we noticed there were thousands of what looked like cobwebs in our cherry tree.
'We now know they are the moths' nests or tents. The children started coming out in spots and they couldn't stop scratching.
'Because I'm pregnant there are certain medications to help with the itching that I can't take.
'We had a tree surgeon who came out and cut out the tents and he couldn't believe what he saw - he said he hadn't seen anything like it in his life. It was a mass of caterpillars.'
Neighbour Tracey Jones added: 'My husband and my eight-year-old daughter look like they've been pricked with a pin.
'People need to know what's out there and the potential risks - this has the potential to put people in hospital.'
The caterpillars of the brown tail moth, which began hatching in late March, are covered in millions of hairs that can break off as barbs into the air.
Anyone who inhales or comes into contact with the tiny bristles can develop severe breathing problems, headaches, rashes and even conjunctivitis.
The caterpillars will continue to be a hazard for another four weeks until the pupation finishes when, as moths, they will pose no threat.
However, in the meantime councils across the country are warning people to avoid contact with the insects and asking asthmatics to carry their medication with them.
It is believed that our warm spring weather has aided the spread of the caterpillar, which have never been seen before in Wiltshire.
Graham Steady, Wiltshire Council's environmental protection manager, admitted they have 'no experience' of dealing with the insects.
He said: 'The moths are visitors from overseas that started coming into the country in the south east of England and have been spreading.
'We've not come across it at all in Wiltshire before and none of us here has any experience in dealing with it.
'We have taken a sample caterpillar from one of the families affected and have sent it off for analysis but we are pretty sure it is a brown tail moth caterpillar.'
The Health Protection Agency are warning anyone who comes into contact with the hairs to wash their hands and eyes, and use calamine lotion if they develop a rash.