How To Survive In The Wilderness – Dealing With Non-Venomous Insects And Bites

Even the smallest of creatures can turn a joyous out into one of discomfort or misery. Knowing how to survive in the wilderness includes dealing with those minuscule critters. Since many insects attack or feed on the skin and blood of our bodies, there are some preventive measures that can be taken. The following are techniques to get rid of some of those pests as well as treatments to deal with the ones that do bite you.

Mosquitoes

Typically, a mosquito's bite will just cause a minor or moderate skin irritation. If they happen to be infected with a virus or parasite though, they could transfer those from one person to another.

There are commercial chemicals and natural oils that can repel mosquitoes as well as electronic devices. If you do happen to get bit by one or more mosquitoes, you can either use an antihistamine or an anti-itch cream to ease the irritation.

Ticks

Ticks live on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibian. They are known to carry diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, Tick paralysis and many others.

The best way to remove an adult tick from your skin is mechanically. If any of the head or mouthparts remain imbedded, a skin biopsy may be necessary to complete the removal.

Fleas

Fleas also live off the blood of mammals, birds, bats and humans. As with the mosquito bites, an antihistamine or anti-itch cream can be used to ease the irritation. Calamine lotion is also effective for itching relief.

Chiggers and Red Bugs

These insects live in forests, grasslands, parks and even golf courses. They feed on the skin and cause itching. Some remedies for treating their bites are to scrub with a cloth using soap, bleach or alcohol as soon as possible. Other remedies include applying a mouth wash, ammonia or window cleaner for fast relief.

Leeches

Being mostly blood suckers, most leeches live in fresh water and feed on the blood of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Although they have been used in historical medicine, finding one on you in the wild is not preferable.

Some remedies may suggest applying fire, salt, soap, vinegar or other chemicals to force the leech to detach from the skin. Doing so may cause the leech to regurgitate its stomach contents into the wound and thereby increasing the risk of contracting a disease or infection. To remove a leech from the skin, use a fingernail or flat object to break the seal of the leech's oral sucker.

Source by Albert Fore