JennyC writes

"K" wrote in message
...
JennyC writes

If so you need to get rid of them asap!
http://www.itg.be/itg/DistanceLearni...denEndenE/52_E
ctoparasitesp8.htm

Why????
It's not exactly difficult to avoid being in contact withcaterpillars

if it's the above mentioned caterpillar, they cause allergic and respiratory
reactions (their hairs). The army has been called in Belgium to tackle them
with flamethrowers!!!
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/06/02/...gainst-hairy-c
aterpillar/

Well, it isn't that caterpillar ;-)

But in any case, that link hardly gives enough information to explain
why total destruction of this species is required. How widespread is the
species, how abundant, what habitat does it occupy, how do other
countries deal with it?

The article claims that caterpillar allergies account for up to 80% of
doctor visits in the area - if so, then that is indeed a problem, but if
the underlying statistic is 80% of doctor visits connected with
allergies, then that is a different matter entirely.
--
Kay