yet desperately in need of a practical solution: the oak processionary caterpillar
The French town Guénange has now launched a drone programme to help reduce health risks that can be traced back to the caterpillars occupying the nearby forests
The insects' hair can be especially dangerous for human beings and animals alike
The newest gadget designed to fight this enemy is a 24 kg drone
which is able to spray a bacterial solution (not harmful to animals or people)
The agent turns into a toxic crystal once it comes into contact with the caterpillar
The municipality of Guénange in the Moselle department has been fighting the oak processionary for several years
since it had developed into a problem for its citizens
The initiative has been conducted by Agrobio Tech since 2019
The French national institute for agronomic research has been supervising the project from the outset
This year's undertaking was once again watched closely by the town's population
While the first deployment of the drone had cost the town 70,000 euros in 2019
the current undertaking will be priced at 40,000 euros
The bacterial solution sprayed by the drone yet needs to be fully homologated by French authorities
if results from this year's procedures turn out well
From mid-September until the end of October
renovation work on the A31 will take place in eight different stages
Over the course of the next six weeks the signs above the carriageway in Guénange
Entrange and Kanfen will be renovated by the French roads agency
Every time a part of the A31 motorway will be closed overnight
The competent agency will organise deviations
The first step in this renovation process will start this Monday 18 September and last until Wednesday 20 September
The signs in Guénange will be replaced from 9.30 pm until 5 a.m
The second stage of these renovation works will also take place during September
this time from Monday 25 september until Wednesday 27 September
Six more stages will then take place throughout the month of October
where again the motorway will be closed overnight.