Toxic caterpillar outbreak

JoeX

Not seen any myself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43930702

nutcutlet

Another media death and destruction panic. However would we manage without the press   

Fire

We've had them in London for years.

Valley Gardener

We had a nest in our honeysuckle,our neighbour came round and poured petrol over it,they also say you should spray them with hair spray before demolishing them,so the hairs stick together and you don't breathe them in or get them on your skin.

Fire

I wouldn't be pouring petrol over your garden.

debs64

Poor caterpillars! Can't people just leave them alone or are they actively attacking? 

nutcutlet

I doubt if any caterpillar ever attacked anyone 

Valley Gardener

Fire,we didn't know it was petrol till the fumes hit us!! Not something I'd recommend!  Some old country boys remedy! A bit like when hubby accidentally drilled his finger,and was told to put diluted bleach on it........apparently it worked for his cow when she got caught on barbed wire! 😁

Fire

debs64

I can't see pouring petrol on something is a "remedy?" Didn't it kill them! 

Blue Onion

I got bit by several caterpillars before.. we used to have these huge plagues of Gypsy Moth caterpillars when I was a child (in Pennsylvania).. they would randomly land on you out of the trees.. and bite bare skin.  I remember camping, and their poo coming down on the tent at night sounded like a gentle rain.