PESTS

Millipedes

Ticks & Fleas 

For both fleas and ticks use proprietary medication from the vet or the pet shop.  You can also use anti-parasite sprays and shampoos.  

BEWARE!!! 
(A note by Scott Andrew Warden)

For those of you who have just moved, are contemplating a move, or have been living here in Cyprus a while and have not been fortunate or unfortunate, as the case may be, to experience the wonders of nature, then this should be an interesting read. I’m not going to be to technical and scientific with all of the facts, but as the locals will be happy to confirm the following information, it’s down to you to do some further research and enjoy it as you go, just go ahead with an air of caution!

There are eight species of snakes on the Island.  The large black whip snake, which is probably the most domineering of the collection, is rather harmless.  It is said locally that it will guard you against the Blunt-Nosed Viper, though with my collection of cats it is very unlikely that it would be warmly received! The Viper is the only one of the collection that can be a danger to us, especially our dogs who sniff around close to the ground, and depending where the dog is bitten, can have around 20- 50 mins approximately to live! Humans have very rarely been killed by its venomous bite,small children and the elderly or the weak hearted are more at risk.  It may,  however, leave you very ill, and in any case one should always consult medical advice urgently.

Further information on reptiles and snakes can be found in The Definitive guide to snakes of Cyprus from Snake George in Paphos, if you have not visited the Snake George Reptile Park in Paphos then I strongly recommend that you do, just so that you may identify all of the reptile species in Cyprus.   Alternative information can be found at CyprusMail.com (archive article-Sunday, August 21,2005) courtesy of Jill Campbell Mackay.

These are the superficially similar Cyprus snakes.   Most people, having seen the dangerous blunt-nosed viper with its distinctive triangular head, can recognise it easily:  check out the photo gallery and learn to identify our main local snakes.
 
 
 

Scorpions - Mesobuthus cyprius Gantenbein et al. 2000.   As the name indicates, this species is endemic for Cyprus. This species was previously regarded as a subspecies of M. gibbosus, (M. gibbosus anatolicus), but molecular and genetic analysis revealed that the Cyprus population was clearly different from the mainland populations of the subspecies. The Cyprus population obtained species status in 2000.
This is all I could really find out about local scorpions.  According to many web sites they are found only in the Troodos regions, though my neighbours and I have found plenty in our gardens in Pissouri to cause concern. They are generally around 6-8 cm in length and are a yellow-brownish colour.   They may give a nasty sting if handled or stood upon, so the only advice I can give is ‘do not go bare-footed through the grass’ or you may end up in pain for a considerable while!   Check out the medical advice under Snake Bites and get help.

So let me think, if you are very lucky you may encounter the Cyprus Chameleon, harmless and can be handled, though a great toy for the cats, so try not to leave them unattended if you are a cat owner!   Lizards can bite, if sufficiently
frightened, though they are not dangerous and the larger they get the bigger the bite.  However they will not attack!
 
Oleander is a common plant in Cyprus and is great to use as a border shrub, as it is the only plant that the goats will not eat! It is used for many purposes including cancer treatment, though it is also used as a rat poison and can be harmful to humans, so if you prune or handle it, always remember to wash your hands after! Do not burn, as inhalation may also cause illness!   If you find a large caterpillar on it (2cm round and 4-6 cm long) proceed with caution, it has pincers that may give you a nasty nip!

A quick note on  caterpillars, do not park your car under trees for shade during summer months, as there are a species of caterpillar in Cyprus that will excrete an acidic urine from the trees and burn the paintwork off your car.  You have been warned!   This “soldier” caterpillar, which travels in a black ball, can also cause a nasty allergic reaction, particularly in children, so don’t touch them and warn children not to touch them.  They are also seriously not good for your garden – boiling water is unkind but quick.

Mosquitoes are a nuisance.  In Pissouri we are rather lucky as the winds keep the numbers down.   However, we do encounter the ‘Nosee’em’ thus called because we do not see the little blighter until it has fed on our skin.   It gets through mosquito nets and hangs around when there is moisture, usually around the spring and autumn (April-early June and late August- October).   I keep a Raid or Aroxol plug always on.  Refills last a month or so and are relatively inexpensive, but generally keep the little rotters away at night if used around the house especially in the bedroom!   One place you can buy mosquito nets is at Super Home Centre in Paphos.   

Spiders.  Then I come to the section that chills me to the spine!   If you, like me, suffer from Arachnophobia, then this is the nightmare section. What are we looking out for? Apart from the house spiders that seem to sport hobnail boots and are relatively harmless, there are the Tarantulas! Yes, you heard me right!  Females are brown and males are black. They are found everywhere just about, most people experiencing their first, usually drowned in chlorine and floating in the skimmer boxes of their swimming pools. My first encounter was a live female that I think the cats must have brought in.  The male is the larger, around 8-12 cm long approximately and can move at a quick old pace!   It usually burrows and can be found under soil and rocks and the female is slightly smaller. They are virtually harmless though do carry venom and may bite if mishandled or provoked. Apparently the chances of being bitten by one are less than 1% though if you are one of the unfortunate ones, it can leave you feeling quite ill, and medical attention is necessary.

The last ones to be very aware of is the Black and Brown Widow Spiders. Quite rare to the Island although indigenous according to the Cyprus Mail, archived reports Thursday September 9th, 2004, Wednesday November 3rd, 2004, and Sunday August 15th, 2004. All discovered in Cyprus at the same time though believed to be accountable for unexplained deaths in many children and the elderly! These critters are related to the red-back spider of Australia and are dangerous! Reports so far have identified them only in Larnaca, Ayia Napa, and Dhali in Nicosia. The males are black and have a red hour glass symbol on their stomachs, and the brown ones have orange markings, if found, do not attempt to handle, but report them A.S.A.P. Widows are around the size of a 1 cent coin (body) yes! They are very small, but deadly!   On that rather cautious note, enjoy Cyprus.   It is unlikely that you will ever be attacked by the aforementioned unless you provoke them or accidentally stand upon them, but if you do, be prepared on how to act.  It’s just a precaution!
      

Weever Fish

This is a small fish which buries itself in the sand.  If you are unlucky enough to stand on one when you are in the sea you will certainly know about it, because their spines contain toxins.    Fortunately this is very rare. 

Treatment is to apply heat – you must put the injured foot into hot not cold water, hopefully until it feels less painful.   Then get medical treatment, because different people react differently and some can be worse affected than others.

Ants

Irritating when they get into the house and particularly the kitchen, but there are products available to kill and deter them.

Leishmaniasis 

This deadly disease is carried by mosquitos (no-seeums).  It mostly affects dogs, but it can affect humans.  It is possible early diagnosis and treatment gives dogs a better chance of survival.  Symptoms are lethargy, losing weight, losing patches of hair, enlarged joints, crusty skin lesions and rope-like knots under the skin. 

Prevention is better than (the very difficult and expensive) cure:  you can buy a collar from your vet (Scalibor) to prevent your pet being bitten.  The disease is at its height during the summer months.