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Creepy Crawlies in Oria Region.

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 5:03pm
8 replies165 views5 members subscribed
Karl64

Posts: 85

19 helpful points

Location: Serón

Joined: 17 Jan 2018

I am moving out to a small Almond Grove in Oria in May. I have a Dog and a few Cats which I am bringing over with me. Two of the cats are proficient hunters and are always bringing me presents. My question is - what sort of beasties are there in the area that I am likely to be brought in? I hear that there may be snakes and scorpions in the area, is this true?

DarioMartin

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:38pm

DarioMartin

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Posts: 5339

6308 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:38pm

I believe during the warmer months that yes, there are certainly some snakes and scorpions around - and please somebody either confirm or deny this - but I have been told of another particularly unpleasant beastie called “Procession caterpillars” which lurk near certain trees for around two months of the year and can be fatal to animals - again, please someone with a lot more experience, jump in and add to this and either confirm or refute.

Darío

Karl64

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:18pm

Karl64

Original Poster

Posts: 85

19 helpful points

Location: Serón

Joined: 17 Jan 2018

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:18pm

Thank you Dario. I have heard of the caterpillars and I believe they drop down from pine trees. Thankfully there are none of those on my land.

BobL

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:01am

BobL

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Posts: 2170

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Location: Mojacar

Joined: 18 Aug 2016

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:01am

Our Pine trees are festooned with the communal 'cocoons' of these caterpillars & yes they are poisonous. Processionary caterpillars from the Processionary Moth.

Over 15 years and moving thousands of rocks to line drive, etc we have found only 1 scorpion and that a black one not the white which is allegedly more poisonous. We have a number of snakes but mainly Ladder Snakes & occ. Adder. Would be more concerned about the Zebra Centipedes/ Millipedes which are extremely nasty. And lastly the raptors/ birds of prey.

Bit different to UK.

Best Wishes,

Bob and Sandra

Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras

L181SKY

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:56pm

L181SKY

Very helpful member

Posts: 999

690 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 24 Jan 2017

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:56pm

Hi Bob. What colour are the zebra centipedes please.  I’ve had our place 16 years in the campo n never seen one.  What to do if bitten?   Thanks Trudi

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ednab

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:11pm

ednab

Helpful member

Posts: 329

178 helpful points

Location: Oria

Joined: 27 Mar 2017

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:11pm

DarioMartin wrote on Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:38pm:

I believe during the warmer months that yes, there are certainly some snakes and scorpions around - and please somebody either confirm or deny this - but I have been told of another particularly unpleasant beastie called “Procession caterpillars” which lurk near certain trees for around two m...

...onths of the year and can be fatal to animals - again, please someone with a lot more experience, jump in and add to this and either confirm or refute.

Darío

You are correct, these caterpillars are found on Fir trees.  They are black/dark brown in colour and they are furry.  It is the fur that is very dangerous, even to humans.  Do not touch these at all.  If you have fir trees on your property with you having pets, I would cut them down.  If you need more info private email me.

BobL

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:20pm

BobL

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Posts: 2170

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Location: Mojacar

Joined: 18 Aug 2016

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:20pm

Hi, these are.ghastly things & we have them here at the finca outside PL. As their name implies they are banded and are really quite attractive with yellow, brown, green & black markings. They are really sinuous and off course all those legs moving like banks of oars. Their bite is apparently intensely painful & a Spanish neighbour ended up in hospital on iv painkillers. As with all such bites, stings those at risk would be children, elderly, those that are allergic and animals. On one occasion we found one of 8" in the bed. To this end all our thresholds, vent grills are regularly sprayed with Maton & we do find dead ones of 2-3"'quite frequently. They are carnivores so think they are after the earwigs that take cover around.the door.

BEST WISHES & Happy New Year,

Bob and Sandra

BobL

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:23pm

BobL

Super helpful member

Posts: 2170

1225 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 18 Aug 2016

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:23pm

L181SKY wrote on Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:56pm:

Hi Bob. What colour are the zebra centipedes please.  I’ve had our place 16 years in the campo n never seen one.  What to do if bitten?   Thanks Trudi

Look.under Megarian Banded Centipede.

Ours are not so.uniformly yellow and up to 9".

On www/'google.search.

Bob and Sandra

L181SKY

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:20pm

L181SKY

Very helpful member

Posts: 999

690 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 24 Jan 2017

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:20pm

BobL wrote on Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:20pm:

Hi, these are.ghastly things & we have them here at the finca outside PL. As their name implies they are banded and are really quite attractive with yellow, brown, green & black markings. They are really sinuous and off course all those legs moving like banks of oars. Their bite is appare...

...ntly intensely painful & a Spanish neighbour ended up in hospital on iv painkillers. As with all such bites, stings those at risk would be children, elderly, those that are allergic and animals. On one occasion we found one of 8" in the bed. To this end all our thresholds, vent grills are regularly sprayed with Maton & we do find dead ones of 2-3"'quite frequently. They are carnivores so think they are after the earwigs that take cover around.the door.

BEST WISHES & Happy New Year,

Bob and Sandra

Thanks Bob n Sandra.  I maton too to within an inch of my houses life lol. Happy new year to you too     Trudi n Danny

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