Creepy Crawlers Portugal’s Flies, Bugs & Insects By Rosanna Bucknill Since moving to Portugal, I have experienced some creepy crawlers that I never encountered in the UK. One of the biggest shocks to the system has to be sighting some hairy centipedes that look like prawns on steroids. These centipedes have a long translucent grey body that can grow up to 30mm in length and, on average, have15 pairs of thin and wire-like legs. Attracted by humidity, these centipedes can move extremely quickly and crawl along walls and skirting boards. My first sight of this type of centipede was in my Porto kitchen when I reached to slice a loaf of bread that I’d left out on the side counter. A large centipede shot out from under the loaf, scuttling across the surface top and down the wall, as I let out a banshee-like shrill shriek.
Don’t attempt to destroy their nests … leave this task to the experts. (Their nests are usually found in very high places, such as tree tops.) Partial-destruction of a nest can aggravate rather than eliminate the problem. Avoid at all costs coming in contact with Asian hornets. They’re mean, aggressive, offensive, and their bites not only hurt, but can be dangerous. If stung by an Asian hornet, seek immediate medical attention because their sting can be lethal if untreated. Mosquitoes are also an issue here in Portugal. This year I was astonished to learn that in Porto, the worst month for mosquitoes was November … despite the low temperatures.
Following some online research, I discovered that these centipedes are clearly harmless, although definitely unnerving. I managed to keep them at bay by purchasing a can of ‘Bio Kill Insecticida.’ Still, I am constantly on the lookout and now store loaves of bread wrapped in the cupboards. Flies, too, can be extremely irritating in Portugal. It’s estimated that there are around 3,000 different species residing here. In 2021—in case you’re keeping track— scientists identified four new species of ant-flies in the Iberian Peninsula. Personally, my worst experience with flies was during the summer in the Douro valley. Laying out on a lounger by the pool was a bloody nightmare because of pesky, small, black, human-biting flies. Once bitten, you experience a sharp stinging pain that later swells and itches. Beach-wise, especially, it seems there is no solution for deflecting these flies, even when covering your arms and legs with a towel or a light shawl. On certain beaches in northern Portugal, I discovered that Asian hornets have been causing panic during the summer months. It’s believed that Asian hornets were introduced to France during the transportation of some bonsai trees from Southeast Asia; from there, they spread throughout Europe. Asian hornets are predators of bees, so beekeepers are keen to keep these pests in check—some beekeepers installing electric fences to protect their hives. 28 Portugal Living Magazine
photo: CDC/Wikimedia Commons
In 2017, the first Asian tiger mosquito was detected in a tire factory in Northern Portugal. There is nothing more annoying than being awakened at 3am every night with the whining buzz of a mosquito. So, I have come up with some strategies • My preferred solution is the plug-in liquid ‘Raid’ sold in Portuguese supermarkets. It typically costs about eight euros and you recharge the liquid after 30 nights. • Another option I have tried in the past is a pop-up Mongolian bed/tent you can order one online for an average cost of €35. Its only disadvantage is that it does take up a lot of space and it’s essential that to leave it zipped throughout the day so no bugs get trapped inside it. • From my own experience, I find that anti-mosquito citronella candles or wristbands are the least effective in terms of bite-protection. Some say there are around 800 different species of spider in Portugal, but very few of them are dangerous—
