Dealing with Bugs and Critters

On the grounds of WSU

Checklist for protection Expose as little skin as possible Light colored long pants and

long-sleeved shirts One piece suit if possible Wear hat to protect head Heavy duty gloves Leather boots Tuck pants into boots and shirts into pants

Check list for protection

Check any clothing you wear in the field before you put it on

Spray clothing with an insect repellent containing DEET

Don’t wear strong smelling cologne Keep your hands and feet out of areas you

can’t see into Do an all-over body check when you get home

Mosquitoes Apply mosquito repellent every two or

three hours Wear-light colored clothing

Within 3 days after exposure watch for signs of encephalitis, such as headache, fever, nausea and

vomiting. Mosquitos can also cause West Nile Virus.

If you suspect a problem, see a doctor

Ticks

Lyme Disease Red rash resembling a bull’s eye Arthritis-type pain Ask employer to get Lyme disease vaccine

Rocky Mountain Spotted fever Flu like symptoms and chills Cough, sensitivity to light Unusual fatigue

Ticks can spread serious disease

Ticks Check body after working in wooded

area If you find a tick on your body, remove it

with a pair of tweezers. Don’t twist the tick’s body. Pull the tick straight out or the head can break off

Clean the area immediately with soap and water or alcohol.

Spiders

Watch for signs of spiders

Wear heavy gloves when moving piles of brush or wood

You may not feel the bite

You may have a tingling feeling, or sudden nausea or stomach pain

SpidersBlack Widow

Recognize this striking black spider by the red hour glass marking.

Males may be smaller & brownish.

The Black Widow has a venom that is 15 times more poisonous than rattlesnake venom!

SpidersBlack Widow bites

Stomach muscles may become rigid, abdominal pain and

cramps can last up to 48 hours

Get help if you experience high blood pressure, convulsions

or anaphylactic shock.

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Spiders Brown Recluse

Spiders

HoboSerious spider bites in the Northwest are more likely to be from this Brown Recluse Spider’s cousin…

ScorpionsThese little critters are found in the drier parts of the state. They are usually reclusive, but will attack if surprised or threatened.

Scorpion Sting First Aid

•Stay calm and rest

•Keep area cool

•If any reaction, especially concerning pains in body or breathing, go to emergency room

Snakes Leave snakes alone Good snakes-

• Most snakes are not harmful• Snakes reduce insect and rodent

populations

Bad snakes-• Snakes choose to avoid people• Most people are bitten by trying to kill snakes or

to get a better look.

Snakes Can you tell which is the dangerous snake?

At first glance, this snake may look like a rattler, but note it’s eyes are round- different than a venomous snake.

Venomous snakes have slit pupils rather than round ones. They also have heart shaped heads and often have rattles or bony protrusions on their tails.

Venomous Snakes Arrow shaped heads

Cat-like eyes

Rattlesnakes have horney buttons or rattles

SNAKES ARE OFTEN DIFFICULT TO SEE

Be aware of your surroundings, especially when in known snake inhabited areas.

Check around equipment that has been sitting for any period of time to be sure a snake has not found a shady spot in which to rest.

Watch out for snakes under houses, piles of wood or stone and in tall grass

Be careful when reaching over objects or around rocks.

Don’t pick up rocks or wood before turning it over with a stick

VENOMOUS SNAKE BITES Most snake strikes are 2 feet or less above the ground. A

snake will strike ½ of its body length, so if the snake is 3 feet long, it will strike at approximately 18 inches.

If snake bite contains venom, swelling occurs within ten minutes

Fingers and toes may become numb, and you may notice a metallic taste in your mouth

May feel sleepy, and have difficulty swallowing or forming words

Avoid running and try not to panic. Do not raise the wound. Keep the area lower than your heart.

WHAT TO DO FOR SNAKE BITES

Call 911- Snake bite is always a medical emergency.

If you wait too long before treatment, problems will increased.

Notify the hospital to which you will be transporting the patient so they can have the antivenom ready.

Keep patient as calm as possible.

Don’t’ try to remove the venom with your mouth

Immobilize the affected area, ice the area, and keep it below the heart.

Rodents

Rodents are everywhere They can cause

• Structural damage, • Electrical damage• Fires• Unsanitary conditions• Disease• Unsightly messes

Rodents- Mice Hanta virus & Hemorrhagic Fever Fresh rodent urine droppings or saliva

RODENT CLEAN UP

Wear latex or vinyl gloves HEPA Filter if warrented Drench rodent urine etc with 1:10 bleach water When wet can be picked up with damp towel When debris is cleared, mop or sponge down with

disinfectant Spray dead rodents with disinfectant and double bag

with debris Disinfect gloves before you remove them. Wash hands with soap and warm water immediately

Rodents

May spread Hanta virus, Hemorrhagic Fever

If you develop a fever, deep muscle aches or severe shortness of breath after working around rodents, see a doctor immediately

Bees and Wasps

Bee and wasp stings kill more people each year than all other venomous animals combined.

Yellowjacket wasps can sting repeatedly. Honey bees have barbed stingers that can

remain in your skin. Anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening

BEWARE! Look out for swarms Bee hives and yellow jacket nests are

found in hollow trees culverts and hanging tree limbs

Bees are attracted to sweet smells- keep food and drink in car

Loud noise, engine vibration and waving arms can provoke an attack

http://entomology.unl.edu/images/paprwasps/polistes_nest1.jpg

FIRST AID FOR BEE STINGS If attacked, cover your face and run to the nearest shelter

or vehicle Notify a coworker immediately to observe you or call 911. Remove bee stingers right away by scraping horizontally

with a knife or fingernail Never squeeze the stinger or you can inject more venom

into the skin Wash the area with soap and water to avoid infection Take something to reduce the swelling and pain. If you

are allergic, wear a bracelet If you’ve had a reaction, carry a bee sting kit

Respect and Protect Be aware

• Watch for areas where critters may hide and nest.• Do not leave piles of wood, lumber, equipment long without moving it.• Watch for signs of rodents or other critters

Be prepared• Expect to encounter critters- do not reach before you look• Dress appropriately- Long pants, long sleeves, boots, and heavy gloves when

moving things. Take injuries seriously

• Notify someone of your injury, even if minor• Get first aid if necessary

Respect the critters at WSU, but protect yourself!

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