Overview
- Mid‑June reports show towns and cities from Baden‑Württemberg to Brandenburg marking infested oaks, closing playgrounds, sports fields and parks, and sending trained teams to remove nests.
- The caterpillars produce microscopic toxic hairs called brennhaare from the third larval stage that cause itchy rashes, eye irritation, breathing problems and, rarely, severe allergic reactions.
- Health and municipal offices advise people to avoid marked trees, keep children and pets away, shower and wash hair after possible contact, change clothing and launder it at 60°C, and seek medical help for breathing symptoms.
- Officials say biozide spraying is no longer suitable at the current advanced larval stage, so removal methods such as vacuuming, hot‑water or foam treatments by protected specialists are now the main control tools.
- Authorities link the 2026 spread to unusually warm, dry spring conditions and say outbreaks are patchy because of local oak density and monitoring differences, so they are planning expanded prevention and coordinated response for next year.