Leeches are water-dwelling animals.They will feed themselves by attaching themselves to the host.It can seem gross to have a leech on your body.There is no reason for concern if you follow the correct steps for removing the leech.There are steps you can take to control the population of leeches.
Step 1: The suckers of the leech are difficult to detach.
There is an oral sucker on the anterior end.If you want to slide your finger under, place it on the skin next to this.To remove the leech, push to the side.Next, flick the leech off of your body.If you push the leech away, it will try to come back to you.The thinner anterior end of the leech is what you should start with.After you have safely removed the leech, you can pour salt on it to make sure it is killed.
Step 2: Wait for the leech to fall down.
After about twenty minutes, the leech should fall off on its own.If you can't remove the leech safely, you may have to leave and wait for it to stop feeding.The leech shouldn't cause you any pain or injury.After the leech falls off, dispose of it.After the leech detaches itself from your body, you can pour salt on it to make sure it is killed.
Step 3: If you have any bleeding, stop it.
Leeches cause blood to flow freely.If the bite area continues to bleed after you remove the leech, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze until the bleeding stops.
Step 4: To prevent infections, clean the wound.
Leeches can leave a small wound on your body.Warm water and soap can be used to clean this wound.Apply an over-the-counter antibacterial cream.If the wound becomes infectious, see a doctor.
Step 5: Don't attempt to rip off the leech.
Leeches are difficult to grasp, and even if you are successful at grabbing one and pulling it off your body, this may make things worse.Parts of the leech's jaws can remain in your body if you rip it away.
Step 6: Don't attempt to burn or poison the leech to cause it to detach.
If you want to remove a leech, you can either put a match or flame to its body, or pour something on it.While this will cause the leech to leave your body, it is possible that it will excrete the contents of its stomach back into the bite wound.This can cause an illness.
Step 7: If necessary, see the doctor.
If leeches are attached to sensitive areas, such as your eye or vagina, you should see a doctor.Doctors who are trained in the use of special techniques and equipment will be able to treat any infections that arise.If you notice strange symptoms after removing a leech on your own, you should see a doctor.Infections can include redness, swelling, or pus at the site of the wound, as well as general pain and fever.
Step 8: Put a trap.
Take a metal can with a reclosable lid and punch small holes in it.Wrap a string around the can and put raw meat inside.leeches will be attracted to and enter the can if you place this in shallow parts of water.The can can be pulled out of the water.Leeches are active during warm months.During warm periods, lay your trap, check it daily, and dispose of any caught leeches.Continue until there are few or no leeches in the trap.The species of leech will affect the size of the holes you need to punch in the can lid.If no leeches are being caught in your trap, try a larger hole size.
Step 9: There are ducks in the area.
To keep their populations low, ducks may feed on leeches.If you attract ducks with duck feed, you can increase the levels of phosphorus in the water.The duck species known to consume leeches include: Ring-necked duck, Wood duck and Muscovy duck.
Step 10: Maintaining populations of bluegill and largemouth bass fish is important.
The fish will help control the population of the leeches.Only private waters like ponds will work with this method.
Step 11: Controls aquatic vegetation and debris.
The growth of leech populations is thought to be caused by an overabundance of vegetation and organic debris in ponds and lakes.It is possible to keep vegetation to less than 10% of the pond's surface area.Excess vegetation should be removed or controlled to combat the leech.Minimizing the feeding of fish and ducks is one of the methods used.Their waste increases the growth of aquatic vegetation.The vegetation is being removed from the water.It's best to remove the whole plant.The plants should be thrown out of the water so that the debris doesn't nourish future growth.The body of water can be dredged or deepened.Plants will be harder to root if the depth is greater.The water level needs to be lowered.Plants will be more difficult to establish if the water is shallow.The bottom of the water is lined.There are plastic and mineral layers at the bottom of the water.Introducing animals.A wide variety of ducks, geese, turtles, insects, snails, crayfish, and fish will eat aquatic vegetation and reduce its growth.The Chinese grass carp is thought to be a good choice for this method.The use of aquatic herbicides.Common choices include: copper compounds, fluridone, 2,4-D, and glyphosate.The side effects may include fish kills.They may need to be applied over and over again because the vegetation that is killed in the water contributes to future vegetation growth.Contact your local county extension agent if you want to introduce any species that may be considered non-native.
Step 12: Chemicals can be used for chemical control methods.
The copper sulfate is used to control the leech population.The recommended dose is 5 parts per million.Everything in the water will be killed by this approach.Only enclosed, fish-less waters should be used for this method.The handling of copper sulfate should be done properly.Follow the guidelines for use provided with the product.