Helicopter
 

Last night around 20.30 we had a helicopter flying over our village very low spraying stuff over the houses, I have seen this before when farmers spray there fields but this was not interested in the fields just was spraying the houses in our village, Anyone have any ideas what it was for ???

http:///Users/michaelburnham/Desktop/DSCF7175_2.JPG

Re: Helicopter
 

I don't know where you are - but a lot of areas around the Balaton (and probably other areas also) spray for mosquitoes, I understand that its biological warfare, they spray a bacteria that is particular to mozzies rather than insecticide. Some areas have also sprayed for wooly moth caterpillar but I've only heard of this over forests

Re: Helicopter
 

To kill mosquitoes.
I don't reside in Hungary but have in-laws over there. In the area my in-laws live, Malyi, North Hungary, a small plane sprays the area.
I'm sure you will see more postings here regarding this issue ...... I guess it will be when they come inside for a sneaky palinka! :p :thumbsup:

Re: Helicopter
 

thank you so much for your reply's, I will be so happy if we can get ridd of them or at least cut them down, This year we seem to have been over loaded with them

Re: Helicopter
 

I didn't realise they were a problem Peter! I've seen quite a few in the garden over the years.

Re: Helicopter
 

The wooly moth caterpillar grows to about 2" plus and is covered with black hairs. These hairs are an irritant and can / will bring up a rash. When the caterpillars are small (1/2" long) they excrete a thread which will enable them to float on the wind and so disperse themselves from the nest site. The quantities will in some years reach plague levels and there can be so many that forests can be denuded of leaves, ditto fruit trees and orchards. The plague years seem to be about 5 to 8 years apart and occasionally there are so many that many die of starvation before maturity because they have eaten all the available leaves. The authorities keep a watch on the numbers and will spray if they think that too much damage will be forecast. They are generally reluctant to spray as they have to use insecticide and this kills all the good guys as well, so it's balancing game to manage the problem.

Re: Helicopter
 

This year we discovered another pest! The box tree caterpillar..... We have a huge box tree, about 10 feet high and 8 in diameter. The whole thing has turned brown and lost all it's leaves, on closer inspection, it's covered in webs which is typical of this caterpillar. Fortunately, there is new growth coming through so hopefully it should recover but it's quite something see and I can only imagine how many of the blighters there were.... These ones are long, black and green.

Re: Helicopter
 

given that the caterpillars can overwinter (in the UK) see https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=760
It may be worth spraying to avoid problems next year, biological control please, or talk to your local forestry office.

Re: Helicopter
 

Thanks for that Peter, will try and get some nematodes for when I'm next over. We also had a similar thing happen in two different clients gardens last year but didn't know what they were - those bushes were smaller though and I think they were uprooted and burnt.