Greyville residents are battling the infestation of caterpillars which they claim is a health hazard and has resulted in some residents getting rashes, sores and other health conditions.The caterpillars are found in most trees along Avondale Road where they have built up nests on the trees and residents are demanding eThekwini Municipality to have the trees with an infestation of caterpillars be cut down.
Resident, Veronica Panday said: “The caterpillars are crawling over the cars and we are bringing them home and they are spreading all over. The red itchy breakouts are now turning into sores on the body. We appeal to the municipality to have these totally eradicated. I would also like to suggest that the municipality trim off the trees and trunks,” said Panday. Another resident Kerry Cross said that the breakout is hard to treat and most people in the area are having allergic reactions. “My home is located a few kilometres from the trees but I also got the allergic reaction and my skin is itchy. I don’t think the municipality can simply kill the bugs because I am wondering if the hairs can still move and sting. There got to be a way that the municipality can remove the nests and caterpillars from the area, otherwise as the community, we will have to,” she said.
Head of Park Departments, Simphiwe Ndlovu said that the caterpillar infestation are a natural season phenomenon that will pass soon. “We have sent out a communication in this regard explaining and warning members of the public to avoid getting into contact with caterpillars as they cause an inflammation on the skin. We have no records of it being lethal. Our department has requested the health department to assist with spraying of the caterpillars,” said Ndlovu. Paolo Candotti, Kloof Conservancy chairperson assured residents that there is not much to worry about as caterpillars, will eventually turn into beautiful butterflies. “We are very privileged to have an amazing range of beautiful caterpillars in Durban which ofcourse eventually turn into beautiful butterflies which we all enjoy. Some caterpillars can however cause a rash if you touch them. Some simple guidelines when encountering caterpillars is to leave them alone.
They are part of a natural life cycle and will move on or turn into a chrysalis (pupa) or some species will form a ‘bag nest’ in a few days. There should be no need to touch or handle them. If you touch a hairy caterpillar then it may result in a localised itchy rash. The hairier it is, the more likely you are to get a rash. You will only get a rash if you touch them so leave them alone. It is extremely unlikely that you will get a rash by simply being near them. Most local species will give a rash that feels a bit worse than a mosquito bite but not as bad as a bee or wasp sting,” said Candotti. Candotti also shared some useful tips that residents can use after being in contact with caterpillars. “If you do touch them and get a rash, gently apply a piece of sticky tape over the area of contact to remove any hairy bristles stuck in your skin. Wash the area throughly with soap and water. “Apply an ice pack, if there is swelling and apply a local anaesthetic cream to reduce itchiness.These steps should sort out 99.9% of most cases when contact has occurred. If you display more severe symptoms then consult a doctor. The best remedy of all is to just leave caterpillars alone and let them to do what nature needs th em to do,” he said.
