What's the sticky stuff on telephone poles?

[JoanThursday]

Help!

In the recent hot weather, the coating on the telephone pole in our street has become very sticky.

The kids all play outside in the evenings, and one of them has used a stick or fingers to pick up the sticky stuff and write on a neighbour's brick wall. Is it creosote (which I thought was banned?), and how can I remove it - does anyone know?

Am really hoping this wasn't my child and, if it is, they've got a job on their hands. Not looking forward to that conversation later ....

Swarfega will get anything like that off the hands. If you're talking getting it off the wall a pressure washer should do it or get the kid set up with a scrubbing brush and soapy water. If they're old telephone poles it may well be creosote.

Anti Climb paint. Its a oil based non drying paint to deter vandals. I'm sure google will tell you how to get it off.

I'm not also fussed about hands right now! But the neighbours wall is another matter.

The sticky stuff does smell like creosote. Not sure if it's paint.

Don't know if it's my child yet, but getting prepared just in case ...

It will be creosote. Creosote is banned for DIY applications but telegraph poles and some other wooden items are still treated with it. You’ll need some kind of grease solvent and lots of scrubbing. I got some on my trousers once (sat on an old telegraph pole lying on the floor and used as a boundary for an arena) and it never came out.

Thank you! 🙏