Catapillar time again!

[Jonzjob]

I was having a look round our pines this morning and removed and burnt 4 small pine processionary caterpillar cocoons!  So it seems to be time to be on the lookout for them again.

For any who don't know what these little horrors are  http://web.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/PineProcessionary.html

They can be very dangerous, especially to dogs and people as well as causing damage to the trees. If you don't know these then it's well worth doing a google search on them.

If you find any then f you have to touch them wear gloves. This site gives the danger http://martin-oldfield.suite101.com/the-dangerous-pine-processionary-caterpillar-a207472

At the bottom of the page they recommend not touching the cocoons. I have always VERY carefully cut them down and burn them. If you leave them where they are and they are in your garden there is a very good chance that you will find them on the ground one day like I did from a cocoon I'd missed. Beieve me, I do not want to get that rash on my hands, legs and face ever again!