i m going to borneo next year. It's a compulsory school camp and i m super worried about the whole thing, especially leeches. Tell me, if anything i can do to prevent leeches?
2007-12-25 02:31:43 · 6 answers · asked by oohay 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Camping
It will be hard to prevent leeches from biting you, because they are very sneaky at climbing into your clothing. They hang off the leaves of bushes and drop onto you as you brush against them. The leech's saliva contains an anesthetic so you do not feel it's bite.
The best course of action will be to check your body regularly all over whenever you have a rest stop, or at the end of the day.
Experienced soldiers on jungle patrol learn to do this when they get back to camp for a shower. They check their buddy and the buddy checks them. There is nothing homosexual about it. It is just necessary because the beasties can get attached to all those moist, warm, blood-filled places.
If leeches are undiscovered and undisturbed, they will drink their fill from their host (that's you) and then drop off. But the one thing you _must not_ do is try to pull them off while they are attached and sucking. If you try that, part of their mouth gets left in your skin and you will get a wound that goes septic and takes a long time to heal.
The trick is to carry a container full of salt, to sprinkle on the leech's body. This hurts the leech, and it will stop sucking at you and will drop off. An empty match box is a convenient container for the salt... just ordinary household kitchen salt is fine.
You can also burn the leech with the end of a lighted cigarette. But I don't wish to encourage you or anyone else to smoke. (I'm an ex smoker myself.)
2007-12-27 13:07:32 · answer #1 · answered by gedanate 3 · 173⤊ 3⤋
Buy a durable brushed cotton leech-proof sock that is worn over your normal sock and inside your boot. You don't even notice it. The leeches cannot penetrate it, and it is difficult for them to climb up. The sock is comfortable to wear, because it is so thin. You can find this at any outdoor or expedition activity shop.
2016-03-16 06:23:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pour salt and lemon where leeches appear....
2015-05-12 22:55:23 · answer #3 · answered by LAKSHMAN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
carry some dry salt with you, or make a tube filled with salt wrap it around your waist and neck,
2007-12-28 00:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by William B 7 · 48⤊ 5⤋
This guy swears by leech-proof socks.
http://users.wired.net.au/susan/leeches.htm
Also advises you to tuck in your shirt.
2007-12-25 04:09:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 17⤊ 25⤋
stay out of the water. and there's another rule about 'don't drink the water'
2007-12-28 08:31:22 · answer #6 · answered by Guru_Lite 2 · 16⤊ 30⤋
Don't go to Borneo. That is the best way to avoid leeches.
2007-12-26 07:33:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 39⤊ 50⤋