A council’s controversial plan to unleash “targeted insecticide treatment” on toxic caterpillars has been labelled “absolutely outrageous”.

Wildlife expert Nik Mitchell says Brown Tail Moth larvae found in hawthorn hedges along a busy Margate path pose “no real risk”, and should be left alone.

But a Kent County Council (KCC) worker emailed Thanet District Council staff on May 28 saying the authority intends “to do a targeted insecticide treatment” of the caterpillars, which can pose a “serious risk to health”.

The bugs, also known as tent caterpillars, have gingery hairs over their body, which can break off and also cause skin rashes in humans.

The KCC staff member explained in an email which appeared recently on social media: “A site inspection has located a number of tents and caterpillars.

“Due to the public health risk, we are intending to do a targeted insecticide treatment during the week commencing June 3.

“The caterpillars were identified sporadically throughout the shrub bed, on both the highway and coastal park side.

“We may require pedestrian access to Thanet District Council land to be able to treat some of the caterpillars.”

Speaking on May 29, shortly after the email surfaced, Thanet-based wildlife expert Nik Mitchell stressed another solution must be found to save the creatures, which create tent-like nests in bushes, hence their nickname.

He said: “There is absolutely no need for the council to ‘treat’ these caterpillars.

“Insecticide is extremely harmful stuff to all insects and to us. “We have lost 78% of insects in the last 20 years.

“We should be looking after them. If anything the council should just simply be putting signs up that encourage people to admire them from a distance.”

He claims the critters, which are native the the UK, are not as scary as people might think.

“The caterpillar have urticating hairs, and can have an irritating effect on our skin however this is only really when is an absolute abundance of them and if you were getting in amongst them.” the 41-year-old explained.

“The caterpillars pose no real risk in fact it’s actually quite hard to find them.”

Mr Mitchell added: “It’s absolutely outrageous.

“I am angry at KCC’s decision to ‘treat’ them.

“In this particular instance these Brown-tail moths are no risk.

“It’s really disappointing that they send out people to make decisions and it would seem that those people have no idea and just simply want to reach for the insecticide.

“If anything we should be simply admiring them, they belong here.”

Meanwhile, KCC re-inspected the area on May 29 to ascertain the “safest, most proportionate” solution to the issue.

Speaking on May 30, a spokesman told KentOnline: "There are several Brown Tail Moth sites within the highway hedge at The Ridings with active caterpillars.

“We are reviewing the site on a regular basis to determine how active the caterpillars are and what risk they present which will determine how they are controlled.

"Brown tail moths can be a serious risk to health. If the caterpillars come into contact with people, their hairs can cause a painful skin rash and can cause breathing difficulties.

"An inspection took place on 29 May to review activity. How these can be controlled will then be considered in consultation with local stakeholders to provide the safest, most proportionate solution."

The Ridings in Cliftonville runs along the coastline to Botany Bay for Foreness Point, which is a wildlife hotspot.