Orihuela brings in new plan to tackle pine processionary caterpillar across the municipality
The pest control programme will cover parks, pine forests and green areas across Orihuela and Orihuela Costa
Orihuela City Council has launched a new contract to tackle the pine processionary caterpillar across the municipality, with preventative treatments planned for parks, green areas, pine forests and other public spaces where the pest tends to spread each year.
In practical terms, “throughout the municipality” covers the whole of Orihuela, including Orihuela Costa as well as inland areas, meaning both residential urbanisations and coastal green zones should benefit from the control programme.
The move comes as the council looks to get ahead of what has become an increasingly serious seasonal problem across the Costa Blanca. Every year, usually from late winter into spring, the pine processionary caterpillar reappears in large numbers, forming those distinctive long “processions” as they move from the trees to the ground.
While they might look harmless from a distance, the reality is very different. The caterpillars carry highly irritating hairs that can cause serious skin reactions in people and animals. Pets, especially dogs, are particularly at risk if they come into contact with them, with exposure sometimes leading to severe inflammation, allergic reactions and emergency vet treatment.
Children playing in parks or open spaces can also be affected, with symptoms ranging from rashes and eye irritation to more serious respiratory reactions in sensitive cases. For this reason, councils across the country tend to treat the pest as a public health issue as much as an environmental one.
Orihuela’s Environment Department says the new contract is designed to allow earlier and more coordinated action, targeting problem areas before the caterpillars reach their most active stage.
Treatments will be focused on high-risk zones where pine trees are present, particularly in areas used regularly by the public.
Councillor Noelia Grao said the aim is to strengthen the protection of green spaces while acting in advance of outbreaks rather than reacting once the pest has already spread.
The contract has a base annual budget of just under €30,000, with companies able to submit bids until May 14.
Image: Animalia
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