We have 5 pine trees in our yard and, ever since finding out about these worms in Feb 2020, at the end of January I inspect each tree very closely and get rid of every nest that I find before they come out. This year I found 8-9, however a couple of weeks ago I came out of the house in the afternoon and found a small procession of about a dozen worms. Must have been a small nest that I had missed. Our son-in-law was once hiking through a pine stand in Mallorca when one of them fell out of the tree onto his neck and got under his t-shirt. He said the ensuing rash was one of the worst experiences in his life. Nasty little buggers.
Yikes! Thank you so much for sharing this story, Nancy. We just arrived in Tavira with our dog Tucker and will avoid the pines for the next month or so. Appreciate the heads up! Let’s grab lunch one day in VRSA! So happy to finally be here ❤️
those are the most terrifying photos you've ever posted. yikes! and isn't there another bug (on the beaches) that are deadly to dogs. i thought i read something ages ago...i suppose it won't be long before they cross the pond.
We just saw a small procession on our walk to the beach in VRSA the other day. The bigger paved trail seems to have a clearing over it but I guess one could still drop and hit you. There were many smushed worms on the walkway as well. I assume the hairs would still be caustic from the dead ones. We avoided stepping on them as best we could. What scared me was the number of people walking there dogs. Most were just romping through the forest. Off and on the path, with the parents not minding them. I was fearful, if unknowing tourists, that they could do easily come in contact with the little worms. Luckily we had heard of this and were conscious of the situation. But maybe we will need to find another way to the beach for this time of year.
We have 5 pine trees in our yard and, ever since finding out about these worms in Feb 2020, at the end of January I inspect each tree very closely and get rid of every nest that I find before they come out. This year I found 8-9, however a couple of weeks ago I came out of the house in the afternoon and found a small procession of about a dozen worms. Must have been a small nest that I had missed. Our son-in-law was once hiking through a pine stand in Mallorca when one of them fell out of the tree onto his neck and got under his t-shirt. He said the ensuing rash was one of the worst experiences in his life. Nasty little buggers.
There is a group on FB that has good information on control methods etc and members also post sightings as a warning to others:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1598178840275389/?ref=share&mibextid=uc01c0
Curious... has anyone seen these in Lisbon proper? Wondering if any pines in the large parks would be hosts to them. 🤔🤔🤔
Wow! Thank you for writing this! Great PSA for those of us who hike, walk, and love our dogs.
A portuguese native I had never heard about this plague until a couple of years ago when my vet told me about it. 😱🥲
Wow, very scary! Thank you for posting!
Thank you!😬🙏
Thank you só much!
It os realy dangerous
Wow, good to know! thank you for getting the word out about these!
Thanks Nancy.
Yikes! Thank you so much for sharing this story, Nancy. We just arrived in Tavira with our dog Tucker and will avoid the pines for the next month or so. Appreciate the heads up! Let’s grab lunch one day in VRSA! So happy to finally be here ❤️
Thank you for this information.
those are the most terrifying photos you've ever posted. yikes! and isn't there another bug (on the beaches) that are deadly to dogs. i thought i read something ages ago...i suppose it won't be long before they cross the pond.
We just saw a small procession on our walk to the beach in VRSA the other day. The bigger paved trail seems to have a clearing over it but I guess one could still drop and hit you. There were many smushed worms on the walkway as well. I assume the hairs would still be caustic from the dead ones. We avoided stepping on them as best we could. What scared me was the number of people walking there dogs. Most were just romping through the forest. Off and on the path, with the parents not minding them. I was fearful, if unknowing tourists, that they could do easily come in contact with the little worms. Luckily we had heard of this and were conscious of the situation. But maybe we will need to find another way to the beach for this time of year.
USA has Oak Processionary Caterpillars, very painful, but not poisonous !
Thank you for sharing this information,
we have been living in Mallorca the last 6 months and I read about them here,
we are moving to Portugal near Silves on 22nd March,
and we were wondering were they in Portugal also,
so thank you now we know, we have 3 dogs,
So looking forward to living in Portugal, looking forward it so much. Might bump into some of you here someday, till then have a lovely day and
Thank so much for sharing.