Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Other Local Resorts & Areas => Uzumlu Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Paul Brock on June 13, 2010, 19:39:51 PM
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We will be moving to Uzumlu in a couple of weeks when our new home is finished.
On a recent visit our Turkish neighbours wound my wife up with stories of snakes and scorpions being prevalent so she has become concerned.
Firstly how much of a problem are snakes and scorpions and secondly what can you do about controlling them.
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:o
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go to the search facilty there is a topic on there recently about snakes and scorpions
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:o
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I know for fact that there were snakes in Hisonaru, my daughter was bitten by one and had to go to the hospital for an injection, she still has a little scar on her foot, we still dont know to this day if it was shock at the thought of being bit or the reaction from the bite itself, though I believe they are not poisonous, but still not nice.
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yes indeed Paul - we have both in Uzumlu. I'm not going to say they are prevalent, but we have seen a few. We have seen Ottoman vipers on a couple of occasions in the olive groves and scorpions like hiding out in brick walls. We have found Scorpions around the pool - they come out to drink from the splashes in the early evening (or so it seems). Always wear flip flops around the garden !
If you like walking around Cadianda - I'm afraid that this is indeed Snake country.........so beware [xx(]
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Any recommendations for a deterrent?
There seem to be 3 main options:
Chemicals
Animals - chickens for scorpions, cats for snakes
or Electronic - ultrasound devices
Has anyone knowledge of the effectiveness of any of these
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Don't rely on chickens or cats as a deterrent. We had cats, dogs, chickens, ducks and turkeys still had scorpions and snakes. It was costing us a bloody fortune in food !
Some Turks swear by the sulphur powder that they scatter around as a deterrent but you have to make sure that the "nasties" aren't already on the land as you're going to be cutting off their means of escape.
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We lived in Uzumlu for 3 1/2 years and when you come out walk into the village centre and you will see 100 + elderly Turkish men relaxing,drinking their tea and I bet most of them spent most of their long working lives in the fields and hills around the village. Whilst creepy crawlies do exist let the sight of all these 'survivors' put the whole thing into some perspective!
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If you can get hold of it there is also some stuff called Katran. It's a vile smelling very thick liquid that is made from the resin of a certain pine.
Most of the locals 'dab' it around the perimeter of the property (about 18" apart) and this, supposedly, keeps scorpions and snakes away. They can't stand the smell (neither can I. when I do my dabbing I tend to get a headache) I do believe it works, been here over 3 years, first 2 years had 4 snakes in the garden, last year only had one that my cat had brought in!
Ask around the village, most of the villagers know what it is (and use it)
Word of warning - when you move into the house give it a good check round. It is possible that a couple of scorpions may have moved in (they like quiet empty houses) I had 2 when I first moved in, one on the curtains one on the stairs. It's the pale beige/seethrough ones that are dodgy.
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the neighbours cat caught a small green snake when we were over in may
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We took your advice Claire and bought some of the Katran off one of our turkish neighbours after seeing a snake in the garden about a month ago.. Touch wood not seen another one yet.
Hate the blinking things. :o :)
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They don't blink. They haven't got eyelids. ;)
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quote:
Originally posted by pookie
yes indeed Paul - we have both in Uzumlu. I'm not going to say they are prevalent, but we have seen a few. We have seen Ottoman vipers on a couple of occasions in the olive groves and scorpions like hiding out in brick walls. We have found Scorpions around the pool - they come out to drink from the splashes in the early evening (or so it seems). Always wear flip flops around the garden !
If you like walking around Cadianda - I'm afraid that this is indeed Snake country.........so beware [xx(]
Where do your scorpions get their flip flops from?
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:D
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Stop panicking for God's sake.
We have had two little scorpions in 12 months. Long kitchen tongs come in handy.
Be observant and you will have no problems.
Snakes are scared of people anyway.
If you want to live in beautiful surroundings you have to live with nature, sorry.
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Thanks to everyone for their advice.
Personally snakes and scorpions here are not a major concern to me but they are to my wife.
We have spoken to a local pest control company which normally does commercial premises - hotels & restaurants and they will come and treat both land and house and give a 6 month guarantee against snakes, scorpions and other creepy crawlies so will probably go that route.
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Paul - could I just ask that you ensure the chemicals you use are cat and pooch friendly ? Some of the stuff used locally is pretty violent.
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We have been her 6 years and in all that time only had one snake in garden and then it was more afraid of us than we of it.
Again only seen a couple of scorpions tne only late t night and high up on wall of house.
Fly's and wasps (various types) much more of a hazard.
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The thing with using pest control stuff is it kills everything else around, insects etc. (I assume we're talking about spraying?) I get some beautiful things in my garden, such as praying mantis, which 'control' other things.
Had a tree frog last year, beautiful.
SueC glad you could find some. Stinks, doesn't it, but effective.
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Boots the chemist sell a great kit, designed to vacuum suck out bites and stings, including snakes and scorpions called Aspivenin, which we use on mosquito bites - no more itch! This costs about £14.00. However Poundland shops sell a similar product for £1 which is as good. Get friends or visitors to pick one or more up for you from UK, worth having several around and a must for those renting out villas. When we have used this on people badly affected by insect bites they have instantly arranged to buy them for themselves.
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I have seen small snakes in the grass in calis in areas where it is not trimmed. They put pellets down everywhere near restaurants I have noticed, the are white, like we put down slug pellets. Barmen seemed to enjoy referring to them as mosquitos so that we won't be alarmed I guess! Bit different methinks but maybe just as harmless I don't know.
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if you do get bitten/stung by a snake,scorpion,dog bite,donkey wasp etc.
dont mess arround go to your local hospital with the best description of your assailent and get the treatment. they all have the antidote with antiallergy...includng the government hospitals which will usually be free of charge.
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quote:
Originally posted by Lindar
I have seen small snakes in the grass in calis
I think we can all relate to that
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I've seen big SNAKES on the prom,driving cars ,drinking beer
;)
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I understand that in Uzumlu we are lucky in that the local health centre carries the necessary anti-toxins and this is only about 250 meters from our new home. Hope of course we never need it.
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Paul make sure you register with them when you get here.
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Hi
What's the telephone number for the local health centre? Must put it on my emergency list. Is it worth registering with them if you are out there for 6 weeks or so at a time?
Many thanx
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Think it's residents that they need registered Tilly.