INVASION OF T XIC CREEPY CRAWLIES
I’M staring down the barrel of another week of lockdown wondering how to teach the children like they’re at school, let them play like on holiday, snare a delivery slot and muster some enthusiasm to face another Groundhog Day.
All while cooking to fill the mealtime conveyor belt.
I say, “tea’s ready” and everyone sits down.
Then I’m on my knees under the table, sweeping (last time they have rice), with hands raw from washing up.
Roles have been assumed, and I have seemingly taken all of them. There will be silver linings…this is a historic time our children will talk about for decades to come.
They won’t remember Mummy throwing pans in frustration.
Or know that she cried with worry for people she loves but couldn’t see.
They will remember games, laughter, family walks and staying safe. We’ve been given a gift – and we don’t have to be exceptional while using it.
No novels are getting written here – mediocre mumming’s fine. We have the time to be together, and time to enjoy it.
So we’re doing that…until the next meal at least.
CATERPILLARS that can cause nasty rashes, asthma attacks and eye irritations are on the march across Britain.
Oak processionary moth larvae have already been spotted in the south-east of England.
The wrigglers are highly toxic and arrived in the UK from mainland Europe in 2005 on oak trees imported from Holland.
They can pose a threat to humans, pets and farm livestock.
Hairs on the creepy crawlies contain the toxin thaumetopoein, which can also lead to painful throat irritations, vomiting, dizziness and fever.
Each caterpillar has 63,000 hairs, although health experts warn you do not even need to be in direct contact with them to be affected.
The hairs can be carried on the wind or “fired” as caterpillars defend themselves.
The larvae feed on oak leaves and can strip a tree bare before moving on to another target in a procession.
They emerge from white “nests” the size of a tennis ball. The caterpillars had
If you’ve not tried out this blanket with legs, you’re missing out. been restricted to London and the south east, but last summer they were found at sites in Scotland, Wales and across much of England.
Council chiefs in Richmond, southwest London, warned last week that the caterpillars had been spotted in trees in the area.
The council told residents: “Specialist tree contractors will once again be treating oak trees in the borough which are being affected by the hatching of the oak processionary moth.
“The moth may affect the health of oak trees but poses a serious risk to people and animals. “Residents are being warned not to handle the creatures or remove or disturb the nests but leave it to the council’s specialist contractors, who are already on the case.”
Despite the virus crisis, the Forestry Commission has decided to carry on spraying trees in the battle to beat the pest. Workers will be sticking to social distancing guidelines.