Le Lavandou treats its umbrella pines against tortoise scale insect

A preventive treatment will take place this week on 552 pine trees to combat this damaging insect.

Pine needles affected by the tortoise scale insect, with a blurred background of pine trees in a Mediterranean coastal town.
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Pine needles affected by the tortoise scale insect, with a blurred background of pine trees in a Mediterranean coastal town.

The municipality of Le Lavandou is launching a preventive treatment this week to protect its 552 umbrella and maritime pine trees from the tortoise scale insect, a damaging pest.

To combat the pine tortoise scale insect and preserve the town's plant heritage, a new preventive treatment intervention is scheduled this week on the municipality's umbrella pine trees. This damaging insect causes the needles to turn red and weakens umbrella and maritime pines.
The 552 umbrella pine trees in the Commune will be treated on Monday, October 5th and Tuesday, October 6th, 2026, between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Affected areas include the TOWN CENTER, SALAMANDRE, ÉCOQUARTIER, GRAND JARDIN and surroundings, SUPER LAVANDOU, SAINT-CLAIR, LA FOSSETTE, AIGUEBELLE, and CAVALIÈRE. Specific streets and locations within these districts will be treated during these two nights.
The treatment uses a biocontrol product, a mixture of rapeseed oil and pyrethrin (extracted from the Pyrethrum daisy plant), which has natural repellent and insecticidal properties. There is no risk to the public if the instructions are followed.
Residents are asked to observe certain precautions during the treatment: maintain a minimum distance of 2 meters from treated areas, wait 6 hours before approaching treated trees, avoid letting pets lick the ground within that 6-hour period, cover outdoor objects near the pines, and close nearby windows and shutters.
Based on information from the official source: Mairie du Lavandou (02/10/2026)