Just walking near the larvae is enough to expose yourself to the risk of getting hairs on your body or in your respiratory tract. They can be dangerous for dogs.
When the larvae feel threatened, they can shoot their hairs like small projectiles, and these become lodged in the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract.
Mattias Westerberg, who discovered the larvae on Thursday, wants to warn his neighbours.
I probably won't take that walk anymore, and I will also tell my neighbours to avoid that route, he tells helagotland.se .
Anyone who has been affected is advised to wash themselves or their dog thoroughly with water, without drying with a towel.
The species is similar to the oak processionary moth found in Denmark.
