Ense School and Mathias Bauer School closed on 10 June

An infestation of oak processionary moths has been detected on the shared school grounds of the Ense School and the Mathias Bauer School in Bad Wildungen. In consultation with the school management, the district has therefore decided to close the schools on Wednesday 10 June and has already commissioned a specialist company to remove the caterpillars. The grounds may not be entered until then. The work should be completed on Thursday, 11 June, so that lessons can then resume as usual.

Distance learning and emergency care
On Wednesday, 10 June, there will be no regular on-site lessons at either school. The Ense School will switch to distance learning. For years five to seven, there will be supervision from the first to the sixth period in the rooms of the Hans-Viessmann-Schule. Mathias-Bauer-Schule will also offer emergency supervision for all pupils from the first to the sixth period on the premises of Hans-Viessmann-Schule. The parents of children and young people at both schools have already been informed accordingly by the school management.

Specialist pest control company
"The health and safety of our schoolchildren and teaching staff is our top priority," says Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor of the district. "As the animals and their webs can be found in many trees on the school grounds, it was unfortunately unavoidable to close the entire area immediately. We ask all parents and those affected for their understanding for this short-term measure." A specialised company has already been commissioned to remove the caterpillars from the oak trees under appropriate safety precautions. This will take one day.

Seek medical advice in the event of contact
Oak processionary moths are inconspicuous moths whose caterpillars move in typical "processions" on oak trees. They also pose a health risk to humans, as their stinging hairs contain a nettle venom that can cause skin irritation, breathing difficulties and allergic reactions, among other things. Contact with the animals or their webs should therefore be avoided. Anyone who does come into contact with them should shower immediately and wash their clothes at 60 degrees to wash off the nettle venom. Possible symptoms such as skin rashes, breathing difficulties or allergic reactions should be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Further information can also be found here.

Background: Oak processionary moth
The oak processionary moth has been known in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district since 2019. The pest can generally occur in all areas with oak populations. The number of sightings has been increasing since then, which indicates a further spread of the moths.

Keywords:

Oak processionary moths Report the location of oak processionary moths