Villagers are being warned to look out for toxic caterpillars that can cause skin and eye irritation.

The effect from a brown tail moth caterpillar feels like that of a stinging nettle, wildlife experts say.

Dover District Council says the hairy insects have been seen in trees and hedgerows in Aylesham, a village between Dover and Canterbury.

The authority is now taking action to remove the creatures and their nests, known as tents.

A spokesman for the council said: “The larvae’s minute hairs can cause serious skin and eye irritations if they come into contact with these areas.

“Large adult larvae may carry up to two million of these hairs.”

DDC says that over the last few years the numbers of these moths has increased greatly, especially in the southern parts of the UK. They can defoliate large trees if there is a big enough mass of them.

DDC warns people to avoid any contact or handling of the caterpillars and to keep windows closed near any infestation.

People should seek medical help if they develop breathing problems or a skin irritation persists for more than a few hours.

The council is removing the insects’ nests from trees and shrubbery on its own land and will also take away certain sections of shrubs from public ground.

Residents are being advised to check trees and shrubbery for tents in their private gardens.

The brown tail moth is still not classed as bad enough to be a public health hazard by the Department of Health.

DDC also says it is not so far aware of any reports of adverse reactions among people to the caterpillars.

The brown tail moth feeds on the buds and young leaves of mainly rosaceous trees and shrubs (from the rose family).

They also attack other deciduous trees, strippng the leaves away in a short time if there are enough caterpillars.

The caterpillar is blackish grey with tufts of ginger brown hairs. The most noticeable features are the two orange spots near the tail.

The moths lay 200 to 300 eggs on the leaves of trees and shrubs in late summer. Small caterpillars hatch from there and start to feed on the leaves.

During this period the larvae construct a conspicuous white silken tent, which is usually found on an exposed branch of the food plant.

Some 50 to 2,000 individuals end up in each tent over winter.

In spring the caterpillars emerge from their winter homes and spread over the foliage. They feed on the leaves until they are approximately 1.5 in (3.5 cm) in length.

At the end of the summer they moult and eventually become adult moths.

Residents are told that the simplest way of controlling these caterpillars is to inspect their trees in the autumn and remove any tents that they find by pruning the twigs that they are on.

It is best to burn the tents on-site or place them in plastic bags and put them straight into dustbins.

The council spokesman advised: “Avoid disturbing the tents whilst removing them and ensure that you protect yourself by wearing gloves.”

A spokesman for Kent Wildlife Trust said: “The caterpillar of the brown tail moth is best observed from a distance as they can irritate the skin.

“The sensation from touching one has been likened to a stinging nettle. However the reaction can be more severe in some which could be why this species is sometimes the subject of pest control measures.

“Every so often populations of brown tail moths spike, and some believe the increase is a result of climate change. They are a native species to the UK and one of many with a toxic defence mechanism.”

Professional treatment can be carried out by the district council contractor AGS One Pest Control who can be contacted on 01304 759033 or pestcontrol@agsone.co.uk