Hey guys, just a heads up there are currently hundreds of Blue Bottles being washed up on the beaches in the bay or at least south of Modi Pier down past Aspendale.

As Victorians we don't often see these little bastards so be aware they can produce a nasty sting even when dead on the beach. Might have to keep the steamer on for a little while longer...

Quite a few in Altona this afternoon.

They were at Brighton also and quite a few along the shore line.

Are you guys sure they are blue bottles? I haven't seen anything down the beach but I have heard about "by-the-wind sailors" being on beaches down the coast. Apparently, they are not dangerous to humans at all. see theconversation.com/invasion-of-the-strange-sailor-jellyfish-what-are-they-and-will-they-sting-us-31131

Nah definitely Blue Bottles but seem to have all gone again here since about mid last week.

Just got back from a NSW kite trip up the east coast. There are 1'000 of the little critters and an unusually high amount. Received my first sting from one (was wearing the full length wettie, it got me on the ankle).

2 things:

Treatment: Hot water is the current best treatment (according to Google, and who am I to argue)

Warning: The last beach i kited (Werri) had so many stingers, I couldn't avoid putting the kitelines over a number of them. I found, when winding in the lines, a number of stinger tentacles around the lines. watch out for these, as they can still sting... I guess.

Finally (which is a 3rd thing, but can't be bothered to update the above) if you get them wrapped round your arm/leg etc. rather than pulling at it and stinging yourself further, use your line cutter to remove it.