Over the past few weeks, the city's public works department (SRB) has already had nests in the villages of Thiede, Beddingen and Lebenstedt removed by specialist companies.

The city of Salzgitter is currently receiving an increasing number of reports of nests with caterpillars of the oak processionary moth on oak trees along the west side of Salzgittersee.

The affected areas will be identified by the SRB at short notice by putting up signs. A specialist company has been commissioned to remove the danger spots.

As the caterpillars are also occurring more frequently in neighboring districts and towns, it will probably not be possible to remove them until the next few weeks.

The caterpillar of the oak processionary moth causes burns to the skin with its 0.1 mm thick stinging hairs. The SRB therefore warns against touching the infested areas, as this can lead to allergic reactions.

The oak processionary moth is often confused with the harmless gypsy moth. There are different species of gypsy moths, which can be found on different shrubs. Oak processionary moths, on the other hand, only infest oak trees.