Black bugs attack Kidapawan City in Cotabato

 

Hundreds of thousands of black bugs on Wednesday swarmed a big part of Kidapawan City in Cotabato, clinging on structures and covering the streets and highways.

At thick swarm covered the national highway, particularly the Davao-Kidapawan-Cotabato section, slowing down the traffic flow and posing danger to travelers on motorbikes.

GMA News reported that by nightfall, the bugs occupied lampposts along the highway. They did not spare the city hall and occupied passageways, walls, and doorsteps.

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The stench of rotting insects crushed by passing vehicles filled the morning air on Thursday.

At the city hall, the early hours of the workday saw utility workers sweeping and shoving a huge cover of the bugs all over the place.

Citing insect experts, the GMA News report said that black bugs usually swarm built-up areas when the moon is bright.

It said that the bugs can cause itchiness when they get in contact with the human skin and the bugs' urine can cause skin rashes.

Experts advised residents to avoid scratching the affected skin and instead remove the itchiness with clean water and soap.

In 2015, a similar bug attack troubled residents of M'lang town in Cotabato as the bugs occupied the whole plaza.

The town's folk believed the bugs came from rice fields in neighboring towns. —LBG, GMA News