A small number of oak processionary moth nests have been identified in Richmond Park. Working with our partners, and following best practice, The Royal Parks is now taking appropriate action to help eradicate the moth.

Nests will be removed at the end of June and beginning of July, when the caterpillars have retreated into their nests to pupate. Nest removal will be carried out by specially trained and equipped operators.

The moth is a forestry pest as it strips oak trees' leaves, and is a health hazard because the caterpillars shed toxic hairs. Contact with caterpillar hairs can affect people in different ways, and not everyone reacts to them. The most common problem is an itchy rash, which is unpleasant but not dangerous, and people may also experience skin or eye irritations. However, occasionally people can develop breathing problems from inhaling the toxin, and anyone with breathing problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Mike Turner, Arboricultural Manager at The Royal Parks said:
"We've carried out very careful monitoring in the Park for signs of oak processionary moth for over two years and have been working closely with our partners regarding local outbreaks. By removing the nests we hope to contain the moth population by destroying the caterpillars before they reach adulthood, therefore reducing the pest across London."

Roddie Burgess, Head of the Forestry Commission's Plant Health Service, said:
"Since this species first appeared in north-west and south-west London in 2006, we've had good results in reducing its population and containing it within the same general area. This has been partly due to the help we've received from the public in reporting sightings, for which we are very grateful. We need to keep up the effort if we are to eventually eradicate it, so we're once again asking local people to help us in this way.

"We urge people not to try to remove the nests themselves. They are full of toxic hairs shed by the caterpillars, which are a real health hazard, and to be most effective the work should be done by specially trained and equipped people at just the right time. Nests also need to be properly disposed of by incineration."

Media enquiries:

For further information please contact:

Katy Murray, The Royal Parks on 0300 061 2128 or kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Forestry Commission / Forest Research - Charlton Clark, 0131 314 6500 or 07810 181067

Notes to Editors

• About Oak processionary moth. Oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) gets its name from the caterpillars' habit of moving about in long, nose-to-tail processions. It is a native of central southern Europe, but over the past 15 to 20 years breeding populations have become established as far north as The Netherlands, and individuals have been seen in southern Sweden. It is thought possible that it is surviving further north as a result of climate change leading to milder winters and fewer and less-severe late spring frosts which would kill the emerging caterpillars. The west London outbreak is almost certainly the result of trees infested with eggs being imported from the Continent for landscaping purposes.
• Health advice. Anyone experiencing breathing problems should seek immediate medical attention by calling an ambulance or being taken to an Accident and Emergency Department. Otherwise, anyone concerned about their symptoms should contact NHS Direct (0845 4647; www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) or their local family doctor for further advice.
• Nest removal. Nests are usually dealt with by being carefully removed from the trees into sealed bags, which are then incinerated. Residual hairs on the tree trunks are burned off with a blow-lamp to reduce the on-going risk of exposure.
• Effect on woodlands. Oak processionary moth will attack a wide range of species of oak trees and oak hybrids. It will also attack other broadleaved trees, such as hornbeam, hazel, beech, sweet chestnut, birch and woody plants, although usually only where these are standing close to severely defoliated oak trees. It does not necessarily kill trees, but it would add another stress to Britain's oaks, which in some areas are already under stress from other conditions, so it makes sense to try to prevent its spread while this is still possible.
• Further information. Further information, including pictures and a tree pest advisory note, is available from www.forestresearch.gov.uk/oakprocessionarymoth and www.forestry.gov.uk/planthealth. Further public health information and frequently asked questions are available from the Health Protection Agency website www.hpa.org.uk (follow the "Topics A-Z" link) and from NHS Direct, 0845 4647, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

Help us eradicate this pest. Sightings anywhere can be reported to the Forestry Commission's Forest Research agency by telephoning 01420 22255 or by e-mail to christine.tilbury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

If you note sightings in Richmond Park, please contact the park office, 020 8948 3209; richmond@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk.

Otherwise, sightings can be reported to the relevant Council as follows:

• in Ealing Council area, call 020 8825 5000 or e-mail trees@ealing.gov.uk;
• in Richmond upon Thames Council area, call 08456 122660 or e-mail trees@richmond.gov.uk;
• in Brent Council area, call 020 8937 5050 or e-mail gary.rimmer@brent.gov.uk; and
• in Hounslow Council area, call 020 8583 5555 or e-mail streetcare@hounslow.gov.uk

About The Royal Parks: The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park. For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk.