Dealing with Bugs and Critters On the grounds of WSU
Feb 18, 2016
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.
.
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
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!
Hit this arrow to proceed to quiz