Tips for Preventing Mosquitoes and Leeches When Going to the Forest: A Complete Guide to Protect Your Health
When participating in mountain and forest exploration trips or camping outdoors, facing mosquitoes and leeches is inevitable. Not only causing discomfort, mosquitoes and leeches can also threaten your health if not handled promptly. Let’s learn with WeTrek how to prevent mosquitoes and leeches, as well as how to handle bites to ensure your trip is safe and comfortable.
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How to Prevent Mosquitoes When Going to the Forest
1. Types of Mosquitoes to Note
– Asian Tiger Mosquito : Active mainly during the day, with a white stripe along the back. They can cause yellow fever, dengue fever, and Zika virus infection.
– Anophen Mosquito : Known to cause malaria, with dark brown to black color. Anopheles mosquitoes can fly up to 14km and are usually active all day long.
– Common Mosquitoes : Can carry Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus, are most active at night and often reside in rivers, lakes and fields.
2. How to Detect Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes detect targets through smell, sight and temperature. They are attracted to CO2, body odor and body heat.
3. How to Prevent Mosquitoes
– Use Insect Repellent: Choose a product containing DEET over 20%. Spray the product into the surrounding area and avoid spraying into the eyes and nose.
– Use Mosquito Repellent Spray and Bracelet: Effectively repel mosquitoes and protect you from being bitten.
– Take Vitamin B1 or Use Lemongrass: These methods can help repel mosquitoes.
– Wear Appropriate Clothing: Choose long-sleeved and light-colored clothing to avoid mosquitoes. Long camouflage clothing with thick fabric will protect you effectively.
– Use Anti-Mosquito Sleeping Bag: Make sure your sleep is not interrupted by mosquitoes.
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How to Treat Mosquito Bites
– Use Ice or Lemon: Apply ice to the bite to reduce itching and swelling, or rub lemon on the bite to disinfect.
– Use Toothpaste: Applying toothpaste to the bite can help disinfect and reduce itching.
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Experience in Preventing Leeches When Going to the Forest
1. How to Detect Leeches
Leech is usually active in quiet places, with little noise and likes to suck blood from young skin. They can hide in tree holes or trails.
2. How to Prevent Leeches
– Use Leech Repellent: Soap, lime, vinegar, lemon or insect repellent containing DEET.
– Wear Anti-Lee Clothing: Long-sleeved clothing and high socks to prevent leeches from entering.
– Use Lime or Ash: Apply to shoes or boots to repel leeches.
– Choose a Tent with a Net: Use a tent that is waterproof and has an insect net to protect you during the night.
3. How to Treat a Leech Bitten
– Remove the Leech: Use salt water to apply to the leech to make it contract and release. Do not remove the leech immediately if it has sucked a lot of blood.
– Treat a Wound: Clean the wound, use tape to stop the bleeding, and check the wound after 15 minutes.
– Prepare a First Aid Kit: Make sure you have enough medical supplies such as scissors, gauze, sterile cotton, and hemostatic tape.
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With these tips and precautions, you can enjoy your trip to the forest without worrying about mosquitoes and leeches. Don’t forget to be fully prepared and ready to handle emergencies. Have a safe and enjoyable exploration!
