A council’s controversial plan to unleash “targeted insecticide treatment” on toxic caterpillars has been labelled “absolutely outrageous”.
Wildlife expert Nik Mitchell says Brown Tail Moth larvae found in hawthorn hedges along a busy Margate path pose “no real risk”, and should be left alone.
But Kent County Council argues the creatures discovered at The Ridings can pose a “serious risk to health” whereby asthma sufferers can experience serious breathing issues.
The bugs, also known as tent caterpillars, have gingery hairs over their body, which can break off and also cause skin rashes.
The authority said in a recent public statement: “A site inspection has located a number of tents and caterpillars.
“Due to the public health risk, we are intending to do a targeted insecticide treatment during the week commencing June 3.
“The caterpillars were identified sporadically throughout the shrub bed, on both the highway and coastal park side.
“We may require pedestrian access to Thanet District Council land to be able to treat some of the caterpillars.”
The insects create tent-like nests in bushes, hence their nickname.
Wildlife expert Nik Mitchell believes another solution must be found.
He told KentOnline: “There is absolutely no need for the council to ‘treat’ these caterpillars.
“Insecticide is extremely harmful stuff to all insects and to us.
“We have lost 78% of insects in the last 20 years.
“We should be looking after them. If anything the council should just simply be putting signs up that encourage people to admire them from a distance.”
He claims the critters, which are native the the UK, are not as scary as people might think.
“The caterpillar have urticating hairs, and can have an irritating effect on our skin however this is only really when is an absolute abundance of them and if you were getting in amongst them.” the 41-year-old explained.
“The caterpillars pose no real risk in fact it’s actually quite hard to find them.”
The Ridings in Cliftonville runs along the coastline to Botany Bay for Foreness Point, which is a wildlife hotspot.
Mr Mitchell added: “It’s absolutely outrageous.
“I am angry at KCC’s decision to ‘treat’ them.
“In this particular instance these Brown-tail moths are no risk.
“It’s really disappointing that they send out people to make decisions and it would seem that those people have no idea and just simply want to reach for the insecticide.
“If anything we should be simply admiring them, they belong here.”
A KCC spokeswoman said the authority is currently seeking the “safest, most proportionate solution”.
They stated: “There are several Brown Tail Moth sites within the highway hedge at The Ridings with active caterpillars.
“We are reviewing the site on a regular basis to determine how active the caterpillars are and what risk they present which will determine how they are controlled.
"Brown tail moths can be a serious risk to health. If the caterpillars come into contact with people, their hairs can cause a painful skin rash and can cause breathing difficulties.
"An inspection took place on 29 May to review activity. How these can be controlled will then be considered in consultation with local stakeholders to provide the safest, most proportionate solution."
