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Defend Yourself Against Northwest Creepy-Crawlies
When the weather is warm enough to tie your jacket around your waist, you can’t help but brag about being in the Pacific Northwest. This is especially true in the summer, when campers and hikers are surrounded by the aroma of wild blackberries, the sound of a trickling creek and the cool shade of pine trees. What you don’t want to write home about, however, are the insects you encounter.
As we head into spring and sumer, here’s a look at some of the more annoying and dangerous insects you may encounter while hiking or camping in the Northwest, and how to protect yourself against them:
Bees and Wasps: Stinging Offenders
Bees and wasps are more annoying than they are dangerous, unless you’re allergic to their bite or sting. Exercise hiking safety and be careful around flowering flora and gabage cans. Do not provoke bees and wasps by tampering with their hives or nests; they will see you as an intruder and are likely to attack. In addition, be mindful of trees, especially if they are dead. Bees will often make a nest or hive in hollow trees .
Avoid leaving food out in the open, as this will attract wasps. Some campers have found that laying out anti-static dryer sheets on a picnic table helps keep wasps away.
Mosquitos: Itchy Offenders
Mosquitos are the insect people find most bothersome. No longer do their bites just make you feel itchy, they can also make you sick with the West Nile virus (which can feel like the worst case of influenza you’ve ever had). Prevent mosquito bites by wearing a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants, especially if you’re in an area famous for its pests.
Insect repellant is a must. Some mosquitos are vicious enough to bite your hands and face, so consider purchasing an insect repellant that’s safe to use all over your body. Avoid staying around areas with still water, such as ponds or small lakes, and do not leave any buckets of water around your campsite.
Arachnids: 8-Legged Offenders
It’s no secret there’s an abundance of spiders in the Northwest. Most are harmless or too weak to do any harm. There are, however, a few of species of spiders to be aware of: the black widow and the brown recluse.
The black widow is famous for its black, glossy look and bulbous abdomen. The underside of its belly has an hourglass shape that’s typically red in color but can also be orange or white. The black widow is a highly venomous spider, and females can measure up to 16mm in length. You’ll instantly know if you are bitten by one.
The brown recluse spider measures up to 20mm in size (3/4 in.) and is gray, brown or dark yellow in color. The top part of its body has a black line that runs through the middle of it, making the spider look like a small violin. The brown recluse is a shy spider, but its bite can cause necrosis. You may feel the bite of a brown recluse instantly, but it can take a couple of hours to feel its effects.
The best protection against spiders is prevention. One good camping safety practice is to use an LED flashlight when looking for items in the dark, even if it is just a bag. Wear a pair of thick gloves when going through brush, picking up wood for a campfire or looking under rocks. Carefully examine your shoes and clothing before putting them on.
Ticks: Blood-Sucking Offenders
Ticks are nasty creatures that mostly live in trees. When these blood-sucking creatures see an animal or human that looks like a good host, they jump on and bury their heads into the skin. Ticks are dangerous because they can carry lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Insect repellents containing DEET are one of the best chemical defenses against ticks. If out in a wooded area, wear a hat, a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants, and long pants tucked into socks or boots.
When all is said and done, good camping and hiking safety practices, the appropriate clothes, a bright LED flashlight and insect repellant are the best things to keep in your Pacific Northwest bug-fighting aresenal.
~ Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2010
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