CREEPY-CRAWLIES have turned life into a nightmare for Portland residents.

Brown-tail moths live on the island and their caterpillars have long hairs that can cause an allergic reaction.

They are native to mainland Europe and have become common on the south coast. The hairs can cause skin irritation and breathing difficulties.

They hatch every year in May and June.

Resident of Barlands Close Leonie Dunham said: “Every year it’s a nightmare for two months. You can’t go in your garden to hang washing out.”

She added: “It’s like a horror movie, they’re crawling over the walls.”

Fellow resident Tim Matthews said: “When you touch the hairs it brings up a spot like a wasp.

“I still have scars from two weeks ago.”

He said he had tried to call the borough council but was told they didn’t have a pest control service.

Mr Matthews’ 11-year-old daughter Bessie said: “We’re stuck in the house. We want to go outside but all we do is scream because there are caterpillars out there. It’s so annoying.”

One resident of Barlands Close, who did not wish to be named, said he couldn’t use the garden as there were hundreds of caterpillars there.

He said: “It’s unliveable really. It’s a waste of time having the garden area.”

Resident Kim Durkin found three nests of caterpillars in the tree in her front garden.

She said: “It’s not very nice really, I just want to get something to treat them as soon as possible.”

But help is at hand.

Southwell Business Park is behind the road and owner Compass Point Estates has sent a letter to residents saying they will soon be spraying the area.

A spokesman for the company said they were happy to help and they wanted to make sure everyone was happy.

Residents said they were delighted and were very grateful for the help.

Borough offers advice

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said they did not offer a pest control service but did offer advice to residents about the moths.

Geoff Petherick, Brief Holder for Community Safety at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “The borough council has received three complaints regarding the brown-tailed moth caterpillars over the last few weeks.

“Advice is offered on an individual basis depending on many factors including where the problem is, the time of year, the stage of development of the insect and how people are being affected.”