Caterpillars ???

[justsayin]

Strange subject I know .....
But .....
Have lived here a few years and never noticed these little fellows (or ladies)....
Tiny caterpillar about an inch long. Think either dark brown or black - not chunky.
Regularly seeing them whilst walking - along the road side - coastal walk - even on drive. Not just one but often a dozen or more. Counted them once whilst on coastal walk and saw 125 . Have also noticed marks on walk which look like ones which have been trodden on (sad but true). First noticed them about 3 weeks ago and have seen them now every day.
Does anyone know what these actually are - and why so many?

[scarlets]

Got them on my first floor balcony somehow

[13roman58]

I reported this to Lapta belidere a while ago they, are millipedes but the whole area is infested with them they did spray the road but the not avail

[justsayin]

Thanku for information.
Not surprised they are on a balcony as have also seen them on a wall.

[mermaidsexist]

yes it seems theres an epidemic of these millipedes. nothing seems to be getting rid of them, they thrive on moisture etc. belediyesi seems to have been spraying lots of places but within a day or so theres literally just as many as before. roads etc seem to be covered, they are usually harmless but do have a toxic/posionous venom type chemical which they release so be careful not to touch them bare handed. although will only cause minor irritation its always better safe than sorry. if anyone knows any solutions to rid them (obviously the pesticide/insecticide the belediyesi uses hadn't worked) boric acid or diamataceous (sorry no idea how to spell it) may work although would have no idea where to source it from or what its named here. but with rain it will most likely wash away?

[Art]

Why is there a need to kill the caterpillars ?

I assume they aren’t dangerous?

[sophie]

Beat me too it, Art. Not as if they are the processional caterpillars is it. (They are the ones I loathe and despise). Art, I gather from earlier in this thread they are millipedes not caterpillars

[mermaidsexist]

actually they do pose a risk to small animals i.e. cats and dogs, they can cause sickness and diarrhoea and irritation , and also they will kill plants, flowers , seedlings etc so imo they are a real garden pest. theres currently a lot around at the minute, its not just one or two.

[sophie]

Thanks, will keep a close eye open for them. We've had enough trouble with small animals and processional caterpillars so don't want to have more trouble with millipedes, that's for sure.

[mermaidsexist]

always better safe than sorry. processional caterpillars are awful, we don't half get some creepy crawlies here mind