five parks closed this Tuesday, October 12 because of a treatment against a caterpillar
Impossible to go green in some gardens of the pink city today. This Tuesday, October 12, 2021, Toulouse green spaces are exceptionally closed. In question: the processionary caterpillar. Very invasive, this insect is a formidable pest. Its hairs are indeed very stinging and dangerous for humans. They can cause serious health problems (rashes, itching, eye or breathing problems).
In order to fight against its proliferation, biological treatment will be applied by municipal services in several parks and gardens of the pink city. These interventions take place “subject to favorable climatic conditions”, specifies Toulouse town hall. As a precaution, the treated parks and gardens are closed to the public. In all, five green spaces are not accessible today.
Which parks and gardens are closed today?
This is the case with the Jardin du Pays d’Oc, Square Boulingrin Grand Rond, the Royal Garden, the Jardin des Plantes, as well as the Jardin du Muséum. But they will reopen very quickly. These gardens are only closed “part of the day”, assures the town hall. In addition to the treatment of the caterpillar, the municipal treatment of other “natural and targeted” actions to protect users of green spaces. It proceeds in particular to the removal of the cocoons.
Last June, the town hall also experimented with a new solution to limit the reproduction of the adult butterfly. Pheromones were released directly into the trees thanks to starch beads, projected by air rifle fire. This method of combating the proliferation of the processionary caterpillar has been tested in schools and nursing homes in Toulouse, in Reynerie Park and on the site of the Gardens and Green Areas Department.