Safety in Torrevieja provides local police and special purpose police.

Civil service provided fire assistance, emergency medical assistance and civil protection.

There is a Central communication service, which coordinates the police, fire and emergency medical help, which can be accessed by dialling 112.

Ambulance 112 / 966 741 125

Direct phone emergency local police of Torrevieja(Policía Local)

CV90, km 30,8 Ctra. Crevillente.

Tel: 092  / 96 571 01 54

1. Los Balcones
   C/ Varsovia, 13
   Tel: 96 679 88 89
2. La Siesta
   C/ Paganini s/n
   Tel: 96 678 44 04
3. Habaneras
   C/ Arquitecto Larramendi
   Tel: 96 670 88 63
4. La Mata
   Paza Encarnación Puchol, s/n
   Tel: 96 692 03 33

Civil guard  www.guardiacivil.es

062 

965 710 113 

965 710 190

Civil Protection 965 713 927

Fire help080 / 085

966 704 433 

966 704 48

Once they have hatched, the minute caterpillars have five growth stages called ‘instars’. During their third moult or instar they build the white cotton-wool like nest and continue to feed on the pine leaves until the fifth instar. This usually happens any time from February to May.

At this point, the caterpillars (procesionaria del pino) make their way to the ground in a long chain searching for the next place in their life cycle. This behaviour gives them the name of the ‘processionary caterpillar’. You can recognise them by their distinctive orange-brown colour and blue bands.

Eventually they will disperse to burrow just below the ground where they will pupate. Before this happens they can be a danger to humans and other mammals. It is the hairs of the caterpillars that can cause problems. If they are touched or poked they cause a nasty rash and give off dust that can cause respiratory problems. They are particularly toxic for children and animals.

If the caterpillar is stressed or threatened it can eject its hairs which act a little like harpoons and can penetrate or irritate any exposed skin. Dogs are particularly susceptible as they will pick up the hairs on their paws and then lick them as they start to itch. This then leads to the hairs being transferred on to the animal’s tongue and can result in itching, swelling, vomiting and even death.

If you do touch one and become itchy you should consult a doctor. The rashes can be very painful and irritating and can last for a few weeks.

They are considered to be a real pest, a threat to the pine trees themselves and, of course, a danger to animals and humans. If you know of someone new to the area who may not be aware, it is worth warning them of the danger.

More information: abacoadvisers