Cockroach invastion plaguing Naples

[truel1111]

If you are going to Naples, watch out for cockroach.

 

 

http://www.salon.com/2012/07/13/naples_giant_cockroaches_salpart/

 

ROME, Italy — Naples may be famous for serenades such as “O Sole Mio” and “Santa Lucia,” but “La Cucaracha” may be more apt this summer.

An infestation of oversized, red cockroaches — bugs up to three inches long — is alarming local residents in some neighborhoods of the southern Italian seaport.

 

 

“They come crawling out of the drains,” one exasperated resident told Italy’s TM News.

“What about the children?” another man asked the TV news agency. “If these roaches land on a baby, what do you do?”

Unusually hot weather and poor sanitation have been blamed for the infestation.

Some Italian reports have accused public spending cuts introduced as the country struggles to cut its budget deficit to meet euro-zone debt targets. However, Naples’ sanitation problems go back well before the euro crisis. The city has been periodically swamped by piles of trash for years, many believe because of chaotic planning and the suspected involvement of criminal groups.

The current problem may become worse. “Trying to remove them this time of year is almost impossible,” hygiene specialist Maria Triassi was quoted as saying by the Il Messaggero newspaper.

“The problem could be solved with proper maintenance of drains throughout the year and especially by destroying the eggs when they’re laid in September,” she added. “But that’s not being done.”

Streets crawling with scary critters is the last thing the city authorities want just as the summer tourist season is reaching full swing.

They already have their work cut out for them trying to promote Naples as a romantic World Heritage listed town with a Mediterranean shoreline and views of Mount Vesuvius. Most news reports describe its poverty, rampant organized crime and uncollected trash.

Mayor Luigi De Magistris has fumed at Italian media reports he accuses of exaggerating the cockroach problem.

“There is no cockroach emergency in our city,” he told reporters. “I’ve traveled the world and seen mice, cockroaches, all sorts of bugs.”

He blames northern Italian media of targeting Naples in a smear campaign. “The situation in Naples is under control while in some of the other major cities in this country stores are closing because of cockroaches,” he said. “It bothers some people to see Naples doing well, to see the south doing well.”

De Magistris is particularly upset about mentions of the insects that have crept into the foreign press.

After the French newspaper Le Monde ran a story Thursday describing the cockroaches as the “latest calamity” to hit Naples, he threatened legal action against anyone he said was unfairly harming the city’s reputation.

Not everyone sees it his way.

“There are so many cockroaches that walking down certain streets is like stepping on a carpet of disgusting crunchy cookies,” said Diana Pezza Borrelli, a city council member from the Green Party. “We’re requesting an urgent de-roaching campaign in areas that have not yet been given sufficient attention by the public administration.”

The city’s health authorities met Thursday to step up anti-pest operations, and said 50 volunteers were being recruited to help eradicate the bugs. They denied reports claiming the cockroach encroachment has led to an increase in diseases.

Several theories account for the origin of the oversized roaches. Some say they were blown over from nearby islands, others that they are a tropical variety that crept ashore from visiting ships.

[Keith1010]

Interesting.

 

The good news is if people talk about the roaches they won't talk about the pickpockets.

 

Keith

[Starrgazer50]

Well, I hope they take care of it by next year April. I have a terrible bug phobia:eek::eek: I can't even watch the cartoon "A Bugs Life".. Seriously. If not, I'll have to stay on the ship and that would be sad and such a waste.:(

[dln929]

We were just in Naples. It was sweltering hot. We wandered all around the city for the day and I didn't notice any cockroaches! From that article you'd think the Plagues of Egypt had been unleached on Naples. :(

[euro cruiser]

I just scanned through several Italian newspaper web sites. There are a few articles about roaches, but mostly they are reporting on the arguments that erupted between Italian officials and French media sources that first reported the story. I also found an article from 2010 about roaches ... it appears to be an annual problem in the summer. There were no articles in the Italian papers I surveyed that said there is an unusually large infestation this summer.

 

A couple of the articles also had pictures. While they sure aren't pretty, if the French think these things are bad they probably should stay out of south Florida.

[cruisemom42]

Sounds like a story with all the elements of a good (or bad?) sci-fi movie......

 

Terror in Naples

 

Advertising tagline: It's a seriously bad trip

 

 

It's summertime in Naples, but there's no dolce vita for two tourists (played by Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton) who get left behind in Naples when their cruise ship sails away without them. Having made the mistake of trying to see the port on their own, and leaving their passports aboard ship, they are now faced with having to stay overnight in the city in a less than 5 star hotel and eat food that does not resemble the Italian dishes they know in America. Horrors! Unbeknownst to them, however, things are about to get a whole lot worse....

 

Undetected for years, cockroaches have been mutating in the piles of radioactive waste in and around the city, left by the local syndicated crime group (with cameo appearance by Nicholas Cage as the group's boss). Too late, they sound the alarm, but the bugs have now grown into gigantic and terrifying monsters that have taken over the tunnels underlying much of the city. They leave their lairs only to terrorize the unwary (mainly tourists). In addition to the sheer ick factor, the bugs also excel at pickpocketing (having six sticky legs couldn't hurt).

 

Only one man can save Naples and our stranded passengers: an unassuming but hunky entomologist from America (played by Brendan Fraser) who just happens to be studying the mutation of bugs on the slopes of nearby Mount Vesuvius, where he makes a shocking discovery....

 

Don't miss the truly "volcanic" ending. A summer must-see movie.

[bobalink]

cruisemom,

Hilarious! You are a good writer.

[cberge]

interesting.

 

The good news is if people talk about the roaches they won't talk about the pickpockets.

 

Keith

:d:d:d:d:d

[Starrgazer50]

Sounds like a story with all the elements of a good (or bad?) sci-fi movie......

 

Terror in Naples

 

Advertising tagline: It's a seriously bad trip

 

 

It's summertime in Naples, but there's no dolce vita for two tourists (played by Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton) who get left behind in Naples when their cruise ship sails away without them. Having made the mistake of trying to see the port on their own, and leaving their passports aboard ship, they are now faced with having to stay overnight in the city in a less than 5 star hotel and eat food that does not resemble the Italian dishes they know in America. Horrors! Unbeknownst to them, however, things are about to get a whole lot worse....

 

Undetected for years, cockroaches have been mutating in the piles of radioactive waste in and around the city, left by the local syndicated crime group (with cameo appearance by Nicholas Cage as the group's boss). Too late, they sound the alarm, but the bugs have now grown into gigantic and terrifying monsters that have taken over the tunnels underlying much of the city. They leave their lairs only to terrorize the unwary (mainly tourists). In addition to the sheer ick factor, the bugs also excel at pickpocketing (having six sticky legs couldn't hurt).

 

Only one man can save Naples and our stranded passengers: an unassuming but hunky entomologist from America (played by Brendan Fraser) who just happens to be studying the mutation of bugs on the slopes of nearby Mount Vesuvius, where he makes a shocking discovery....

 

Don't miss the truly "volcanic" ending. A summer must-see movie.

 

LOL..:D:D Great story..I like the part about the bugs exceling at Pickpocketing..You write very well. Thanks for the laughter. I needed that.:)

[slidergirl]

I always knew there were cockroaches in Naples. I just call them my ex in-laws...

:D

[lisiamc]

i always knew there were cockroaches in naples. I just call them my ex in-laws...

:d

lol!

[starwhite3]

Cruisemom, very cute.

[24butterfly]

We were just in Naples. It was sweltering hot. We wandered all around the city for the day and I didn't notice any cockroaches! From that article you'd think the Plagues of Egypt had been unleached on Naples. :(

 

DITTO. Or pickpockets, or garbage. Thank you.

[Adventures ahead]

Gee, you mean it's not truly a movie? I wanted to see it on MUTS during sailaway :(! Just kidding!! (although I'm blonde)

[lisiamc]

Sounds like a story with all the elements of a good (or bad?) sci-fi movie......

 

Terror in Naples

 

Advertising tagline: It's a seriously bad trip

 

 

It's summertime in Naples, but there's no dolce vita for two tourists (played by Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton) who get left behind in Naples when their cruise ship sails away without them. Having made the mistake of trying to see the port on their own, and leaving their passports aboard ship, they are now faced with having to stay overnight in the city in a less than 5 star hotel and eat food that does not resemble the Italian dishes they know in America. Horrors! Unbeknownst to them, however, things are about to get a whole lot worse....

 

Undetected for years, cockroaches have been mutating in the piles of radioactive waste in and around the city, left by the local syndicated crime group (with cameo appearance by Nicholas Cage as the group's boss). Too late, they sound the alarm, but the bugs have now grown into gigantic and terrifying monsters that have taken over the tunnels underlying much of the city. They leave their lairs only to terrorize the unwary (mainly tourists). In addition to the sheer ick factor, the bugs also excel at pickpocketing (having six sticky legs couldn't hurt).

 

Only one man can save Naples and our stranded passengers: an unassuming but hunky entomologist from America (played by Brendan Fraser) who just happens to be studying the mutation of bugs on the slopes of nearby Mount Vesuvius, where he makes a shocking discovery....

 

Don't miss the truly "volcanic" ending. A summer must-see movie.

 

Hahaha! Too funny! I especially love the sticky-legged pickpocket tendencies of the bugs.

[24butterfly]

Hmmmm, thinking about it now----I'm HOPING that was BASIL on top of the Margharita pizza!

[knot knormal]

Cruisemom42, start writing the screen play and make alot of money for your family....especially your favorite sister!

[Fblack]

Flies too. When we were there the place was loaded with flies. Everywhere. Garbage brings flies. We were walking around near the HOHO buses and the poor lady in the ticket booth just kept spraying bug killer into the air. The flies were just terrible.

[cruise kitty]

Sounds like a story with all the elements of a good (or bad?) sci-fi movie......

 

Terror in Naples

 

Advertising tagline: It's a seriously bad trip

 

 

It's summertime in Naples, but there's no dolce vita for two tourists (played by Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton) who get left behind in Naples when their cruise ship sails away without them. Having made the mistake of trying to see the port on their own, and leaving their passports aboard ship, they are now faced with having to stay overnight in the city in a less than 5 star hotel and eat food that does not resemble the Italian dishes they know in America. Horrors! Unbeknownst to them, however, things are about to get a whole lot worse....

 

Undetected for years, cockroaches have been mutating in the piles of radioactive waste in and around the city, left by the local syndicated crime group (with cameo appearance by Nicholas Cage as the group's boss). Too late, they sound the alarm, but the bugs have now grown into gigantic and terrifying monsters that have taken over the tunnels underlying much of the city. They leave their lairs only to terrorize the unwary (mainly tourists). In addition to the sheer ick factor, the bugs also excel at pickpocketing (having six sticky legs couldn't hurt).

 

Only one man can save Naples and our stranded passengers: an unassuming but hunky entomologist from America (played by Brendan Fraser) who just happens to be studying the mutation of bugs on the slopes of nearby Mount Vesuvius, where he makes a shocking discovery....

 

Don't miss the truly "volcanic" ending. A summer must-see movie.

 

Thanks, Cruise Mom, too funny! Of course, at the very end, they discover, that those were just the babies...& we end with a shot of a giant roach leg poking thru the ground:eek:

[Hlitner]

Hmmmm, thinking about it now----I'm HOPING that was BASIL on top of the Margharita pizza!

 

Bet that was the first time you had crispy basil! OMG!

 

Hank

[cb747]

Bet that was the first time you had crispy basil! OMG!

 

Hank

Hi,

 

I've been looking for an excursion down the Amalfi coast and am finding them terribly expensive. Can anyone tell me if there are cabs to hire at the port in Naples and if you have any ideas as to what they were charging for a ride to Amalfi?

 

Thank you,

Chantal

[Hlitner]

Hi,

 

I've been looking for an excursion down the Amalfi coast and am finding them terribly expensive. Can anyone tell me if there are cabs to hire at the port in Naples and if you have any ideas as to what they were charging for a ride to Amalfi?

 

Thank you,

Chantal

 

You would have to negotiate with a taxi and supply and demand will ultimately dictate. You are talking about hiring a taxi for quite a few hours so it is unlikely you will find anyone willing to take you along the Amalfi Coast for less then 300 Euros. Personally, we just rent a car in Naples and drive ourselves. A one day rental car is less then $100.

 

Hank

[Hlitner]

Hi,

 

I've been looking for an excursion down the Amalfi coast and am finding them terribly expensive. Can anyone tell me if there are cabs to hire at the port in Naples and if you have any ideas as to what they were charging for a ride to Amalfi?

 

Thank you,

Chantal

 

You would have to negotiate with a taxi and supply and demand will ultimately dictate. You are talking about hiring a taxi for quite a few hours so it is unlikely you will find anyone willing to take you along the Amalfi Coast for less then 300 Euros. Personally, we just rent a car in Naples and drive ourselves. A one day rental car is less then $100. For example, we have a Hertz reservation for early November for about 57 Euros.

 

As a general rule most folks would want to drive from Naples down to Sorrento where you can pick up the famous Amalfi Drive. You then drive past Positano and eventually get to Amalfi. Past Amalfi there is a narrow road that goes up to Ravello (we love this town). Of course you then have to get all the way back to Naples which can easily be 1 1/2 hours.

 

Hank

[cb747]

Hi Hank,

 

Many thanks for getting back to me. I did think of renting a car but I've been down the Amalfi Coast and I'm a bit afraid of the drive. If 300 Euros is the going rate, I'll suck it up and do the ship's excursion or a private one.

 

Thanks once again,

Chantal

Chantal

[euro cruiser]

You would have to negotiate with a taxi and supply and demand will ultimately dictate. You are talking about hiring a taxi for quite a few hours so it is unlikely you will find anyone willing to take you along the Amalfi Coast for less then 300 Euros.

Naples has set taxi fares, no need to negotiate. The set fare for a full day tour of the Amalfi Coast is 220 Euro.