With the weather finally heating up Brits finally have an excuse to spend time in their gardens. That means it's time to make your garden look in the best shape possible, but unfortunately a 'toxic' pest could be hampering your efforts this summer.
A garden expert has warned that a toxic caterpillar is beginning to infest UK gardens, and it's particularly "harmful to people and oak trees".
According to Lucy Taylor, manager of Vine House Farm, you need to be on the lookout for the "oak processionary moth caterpillar" as it could be wreaking havoc in your garden.
The caterpillar can strip oak trees of their leave, but they are also a health risk to humans as they can cause rashes and breathing difficulties, according to the Woodland Trust.
They feed and live almost exclusively on oak trees, so if you have these in your garden you should be on the lookout in late spring and early summer. The caterpillars are covered in small hairs which you should not touch.
Luckily, Lucy has provided advice on how to deal with toxic caterpillar infestations by attracting birds into your garden.
She said: "Attracting birds to your garden can be an effective way to control pests naturally as they are natural predators.
"Many bird species actively feed on caterpillars. Birds such as Blue Tits, Blackcaps, and House Sparrows, are known to eat caterpillars as part of their diet. By attracting these insectivorous birds to your garden, you provide them with a food source that includes caterpillars."
To do this you should create a natural nesting habitat in your garden such as bird boxes, which provide birds with food sources and shelter. Lucy added: "Include plants that produce berries and seeds to attract a diverse range of bird species.
"When birds have a nesting site nearby, they are more likely to spend time foraging for food, including caterpillars, in the immediate area."
You can also make your garden more attractive to birds by including trees, shrubs and flowers. Lucy added: "Birds also use various materials to build their own nests. Make sure to leave out natural materials like twigs, leaves, grass clippings, and small branches that birds can use for nesting.
"You can also consider putting up nesting material holders or offering materials like pet fur or straw. Different bird species have specific preferences, so offering a variety of natural nesting materials will attract a diverse range of birds that can target caterpillars and other pests."
However, you shouldn't entirely rely on birds to get rid of toxic caterpillars. Lucy said: "It's important to note that while birds can help manage caterpillar populations, they may not eliminate them entirely.
"In certain situations, such as during outbreaks or if caterpillar populations are extremely high, additional pest control measures may be necessary.
"However, by attracting birds to your garden, providing nesting habitats, and creating a bird-friendly environment, you can encourage them to actively feed on caterpillars and contribute to natural pest control in your UK garden and trees."
If you spot the oak processionary moth caterpillar in your garden you should report it to plant health authorities via TreeAlert if you're in Britain, and TreeCheck if you're in Northern Ireland.
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