The Mijas Town Hall has recently started spraying against the processionary caterpillar, which will be carried out over an area of about 30 hectares, equivalent to about 18,000 trees, approximately.  

The councillor for Parks and Gardens, Daniel Gómez Teruel (PP), explained the tasks carried out during these phytosanitary measures. He pointed out that the work is generally carried out at night so as not to interfere with the public, in order to prevent any incidents, although the phytosanitary treatment applied is not harmful to humans or pets.  

The product used is an ecological insecticide that only attacks the processionary, which feeds on pine trees and therefore does not affect other types of animals and insects. In places close to schools and parks, another system called endotherapy is used, in which the same product is used, but injected into the trunk.  

This task is carried out twice yearly: once at this time of year, as a preventive measure, and once in February and March, as a curative measure. On this occasion, the service is provided by Savia Ingtecnova, the company awarded the contract for plant health in the municipality. In total, five employees and two technicians will be responsible for carrying out this work.  

The work will start with the Canary Island pines, which are the preferred habitat for this species of caterpillar. With regard to the surface area to be treated, work will be carried out in areas where there is a large number of people, such as the outskirts of educational centres, municipal parks and gardens, street markets, accesses to public buildings and roadsides, as well as in all municipal green areas.  

These areas are mainly located in Osunillas, the Hipódromo area, El Chaparral, La Muralla (Mijas Pueblo), Camino de Campanales, Avenida de Los Lirios, Cortijo Don Elías, Sierrezuela, Calahonda, La Cantera area, Las Lagunas and La Cala de Mijas.  

The fumigation plan of the Parks and Gardens area includes not only actions against the processionary or red palm weevil, but also against other highly invasive species such as cochineal, rust or any other pest that may affect the native forest mass.

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