Residents in Whitecourt have been overwhelmed with the number of caterpillars in their town.
Coucillor Derek Schlosser told CTV News this was the worst infestation he had seen in over a decade.
“We have lived in this location 12 years and this is the worst that we have seen it.”
Despite residents’ concerns the Town has decided not to treat trees.
“As a community we have let it run its course. It hasn’t really been considered an epidemic here,” Mayor Maryann Chichak explained.
According to Alberta Environment’s website outbreaks of the forest tent caterpillar may last four to six years and can repeat every 10 years.
Chichak said they were already in the third year of the caterpillar life cycle and she expected this to be the last summer that sees a large degree of infestation.
“Hopefully within the next couple of weeks we will see these little critters go away and not come back next year.”
She said they hoped to see caterpillar numbers drop off by mid-July.
In the meantime, Schlosser said his family was still finding ways to enjoy being outdoors despite the crawly critters.
“It is a natural part of life. We just have to deal with it the best we can.”
With files from Nicole Weisberg
