The caterpillars can cause rashes and breathing problems

The moths are commonly found in the west of the island, in the area between St Ouen's Bay and the Corbiere Railway walk.

In caterpillar form, the moths can often irritate the skin and cause a painful rash.

Now it is hoped numbers can be kept down by using hormones to make male moths think other males are females.

States entomologist Scott Meadows says the male moths initially fly into a humane trap and are coated in a dust impregnated with female pheromones.

"We have used this method for four or five years with gypsy moths in Jersey," he said.

"There is a new product now for brown tailed moths so I'm going to implement it on the west coast of the island just to try to push numbers down slightly."