Poisonous caterpillars return to New Addington
A PLAGUE of poisonous caterpillars has returned to New Addington.
Croydon Council has warned residents to be cautious of the creepy-crawlies and to "bag and burn" any infected branches wherever possible.
A year ago the Advertiser reported that the toxic larvae had caused health problems on the estate, with a 12 per cent rise in doctor call-outs over the Easter period.
This week Brian Lurkins, of King Henry's Drive, said the problem was starting to "spiral out of control".
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Father-of-five Mr Lurkins, 33, said: "We got in touch when we first spotted them, and the council came out and sprayed them.
"But it hasn't worked – in fact, it has made it worse. It is like they are multiplying all over the place. It is like they are taking over.
"They're just everywhere. Everyone I have spoken to down my road has said it is a big problem. They are in the front garden, the back garden, in trees, shrubs, and even making their way into houses.
"My neighbour has been bitten – he had bruising and blistering – and I am worried in case one bites one of my children.
"When I walk my children to school we have to be on the lookout for them because they are everywhere. My son Ben is eight and has breathing difficulties and a weak immune system. It makes you worry."
The problem has not gone away with the arrival of warm weather.
Mr Lurkins said: "They don't seem to like it when it is really hot or when it is raining, but when it cools a bit they come straight back again and crawl up everywhere they can get.
"I have read up about them a bit and you are meant to round them up and burn them. The council sprayed them, but it hasn't worked. I have asked the council to cut back the trees but we are getting no luck."
A Croydon Council spokesman said: "We always recommend that anyone who has a problem with these destructive and irritating caterpillars follows the simple advice that is freely and easily available on the internet and elsewhere.
"Either call in a reputable commercial pest control service or you can deal with the problem yourself – being careful to treat the caterpillars cautiously and avoid skin contact. Go to a good garden centre to get a suitable spray or alternatively carefully cut them off the branches they are on, bag them up and either burn them or bin them."
Comments
by RecFan
Monday, June 11 2012, 1:37PM
“Don. Sorry, Wayne. You'll have to be a bit clearer. What do you mean?”
by WayneRooney10
Monday, June 11 2012, 1:25PM
“RecFan, talking of trolls, is there an infestation of another kind on this website?”
by RecFan
Monday, June 11 2012, 1:23PM
“Ivor_Shed
You did ask so, I will reply - somewhat off topic, but, I hope to redeem myself with an on topic question.
The popular concept of a troll is probaby as your describe - but, here's a quote from somewhere " In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response, or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion"
Surely, the moth legislation would have been in a Croydon Corporation Act from years gone bye? There back on topic! I wonder what happens if you find a moth on a tree branch which is about to snap?”
by WayneRooney10
Monday, June 11 2012, 11:42AM
“So many comments about a bunch of caterpillars. This looks fun”
by tbabygib
Sunday, June 10 2012, 4:52PM
“Well, Cuppa, We Have to have a laugh sometimes ;)”
by CuppaTeaPlz
Sunday, June 10 2012, 1:50PM
“Lol. you have now left yourself open to that one.”
by tbabygib
Sunday, June 10 2012, 1:12PM
“Deal 2000, so long as you don't call me sweetheart.;)”
by Ivor_Shed
Sunday, June 10 2012, 11:20AM
“rec - I'm puzzled because I thought trolling was where you looked up someone's blog and made hateful remarks about their deceased or sick relatives. I believe that to be illegal and people have been prosecuted.
If trolling is posting off topic comments then half of us readers should be in prison?
anyway, some of the topics are so boring they need to be dragged off somewhere else.
ps - ok, so far this message has nothing to do with caterpillars, so I'd better add that within London, local authorities can require householders to destroy any moths found on their property, under Section 8 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1979.
....but is that only moths or caterpillars as well, and after the tree branch argument, is it the duty of the council landlord or tenant?”
by Crease2000
Friday, June 08 2012, 11:09PM
“Awww, tb, I find both yours and Krystals intellect quite delightful. Let's all carry on as we are :D xxx”
by tbabygib
Friday, June 08 2012, 10:09PM
“Sorry, I was also talking 13 Now known as 16/17/18 that day too.”