Wednesday April 29, 2009
SRJK (T) Kampung Baru in Bukit Mertajam has been saved from an invasion of hairy caterpillars by the prompt arrival of the Seberang Prai Municipal Council health and emergency squad.Squad chief M. Raju said the school would otherwise be infested with the caterpillars which had eaten the leaves of trees nearby and foraying for more food.
When the squad arrived at about 11am on Monday, many of the caterpillars were found on the concrete pillars of the school's perimeter. Insecticide was immediately sprayed onto the perimeter wall and trees within. Trees were also trimmed as a precaution.
"The caterpillars will cause rashes if they are touched. It only attack the fig trees and also eats the fruits," he said.
After securing the school from the infestation, the squad swooped surrounding areas yesterday to exterminate the pest.
Raju said his squad members also attended to complaints on the caterpillars from residents in Sungai Rambai in Bukit Mertajam.
"We spotted the caterpillars on wild fig trees along Jalan Song Beng Keng in Bukit Mertajam. We sprayed insecticide and trimmed the trees," he added.
Ong Kee Seong, who is special assistant to state Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi, said he received a complaint from a resident in Kampung Baru on Saturday about the presence of thousands of caterpillars.
"I went to see the caterpillars for myself on Sunday, and was shocked to find trees near the school full of caterpillars.
"I immediately informed the council's health department and health officers equipped with spray tanks were deployed. However, the council's emergency squad had to be called in as the caterpillars were also spotted on tree branches and leaves that were too high to reach," he said.
Kee Seong advised teachers of the school to tell their students not to touch the caterpillars as it would cause rashes.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 29 April 2009
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