By Helen Bamford
An invasion of millions of bluebottles - the worst in years - is plaguing Cape Town beaches this summer, inflicting agonising stings on countless holidaymakers.
At this time of year, city beaches are invaded by armies of local and foreign tourists. But this is nothing compared with the bluebottles that have struck en masse, littering the coastline with a solid two-metre band of gas-filled sacs and agony-inflicting tails.
The infestation has been widespread, but False Bay has been worst affected.
| The infestation has been widespread |
Before they wash up, many of the creatures leave their mark on unwary bathers.
"We've had loads and loads this year," said Mervyn Lewis, a lifeguard at the False Bay Lifesaving Club. "It's the worst epidemic in years."
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Lewis said the bluebottles started washing up three to four weeks ago.
"And they were huge, although the latest batch seems a bit smaller."
Gerhard Beukes, the operations manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, said the culprit was the south-easterly wind which blew the bluebottles on to the shore.
| A number of topical creams on the market |
"And they're not very strong swimmers as you can imagine."
Incredibly, the stranded creatures have their sympathisers. Beukes said a number of people had called the Aquarium from their cellphones on the beach and asked staff to come and rescue the stranded bluebottles.
But he said it would be impossible to save them because, once they washed up, whelks immediately started devouring them.
Beukes said bluebottles inflicted painful stings but for the most part these could be treated with vinegar and ice.
There are also a number of topical creams on the market.
"But in severe cases the stings can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory collapse in which case a doctor would need to be consulted."
Lewis said he found the best cure was to wash the affected area with fresh water and then pick off the little blue barbs.
"Alternatively you can use an anti-sting cream."
Dave Jenkins, the manager of the Lifestyle Surf Shop on Muizenberg beachfront, said many swimmers and surfers stung by bluebottles had been coming into the shop.
"There definitely seems to be an epidemic... but the south-easter seems to have been blowing more than usual." But the bluebottles appear to have done little to discourage people from visiting the beach.
Rachel and Tommy Fitzalan-Howard, on holiday from Sussex, were part of the tens of thousands of holidaymakers soaking up the sun and enjoying the water.
And, yes, they were stung, but it didn't stop them having a go on their rented surfboards.
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