Critters Encountered in the Field

Transcription

1 Critters Encountered in the Field Lisa Wagenbrenner-Biologist Chesapeake Mosquito Control Commission

2 At the Job Site Check out surroundings Look for bees flying Watch where you step Give critters a chance to get out of the way Just be aware and alert!

3 Bees and Wasps-Good and Bad Pollinators Kill other pests Don t really care about us But.. Ditching, mowing, line trimming, tree trimming etc. cause us to make contact in an unfriendly manner We threaten their nest, get too close, move too fast, enter their space Or, they nest and enter our space- Conflict

4 Bees and Wasps-What Provokes Them Disturbing the nest Smashing individual- alerts others Loud noise- vibration around nest Dark or colorful clothing Perfumes

5 Ways to Avoid a Sting Look out for the nest Move slowly around bees and wasps Don t swat or smash- action releases pheromones signaling others to attack When possible wear light colors-long sleeves-hat-boots-no perfumes If bees are swarming around cover face and back away slowly as possible

6 The Unfortunate Sting Redness-swelling-sore and itchy Hands and feet will swell the most-look worse than it is Swelling last 3-4 days-normal reaction Use credit card to remove stinger- Don t squeeze Watch out for Anaphylactic shock! Immediate swelling of face-eyelids Become flushed-breathing becomes labored Anxiety sets in Person can lose consciousness Call 911 If you know you are allergic-have doctor prescribe epi-pen and carry with you at all times

7 More Critters You Might See Raccoons-opossums-muskrats-foxes (nocturnal) find evidencetracks-holes-droppings Unless rabid-will not bother you- Please report any strange acting critter to animal control

8 More Critters You Might See Velvet Ants Very hairy wasps- Red and Black Local species- Cow Killer Adult female-wingless-runs fastvery painful sting could kill a cow Female lays eggs in bumble bee nest-larvae eat the bumble bee larvae Fire Ants- True Ants Imported species-not native Nest-large mound-looks spongy Aggressive when mound is disturbed Sting and bite-burning sensation with blisters Fire Ant Mound

9 More Critters You Might See Spiders-Most will not hurt you Watch out for Black Widows Manholes-catch basins-wood piles-sheds Female stays close to egg sac-bites when disturbed Bite may not be felt-followed by burning-swelling-redness Neurotoxin-pain progresses to center of body and localizes in abdomen and back Symptoms-nausea-sweatingtremors-labored breathing and speech-vomiting Severity depends on age and sensitivity of individual Contact doctor immediately

10 More Critters You Might See Snakes More afraid of us-they are after mice-frogs-insects We have 3- Cottonmouth-Copperhead-Canebrake Rattlesnake ** Note: At one time, the Timber Rattlesnake & Canebrake Rattlesnake were considered separate subspecies, however this is no longer the case. Cottonmouth-found in marshy areas Copperhead and Canebrake- found in wooded areas Cottonmouth Copperhead Canebrake Rattlesnake

11 More Critters You Might See Non-venomous snakes-often mistaken for venomous Northern Water Snake- Active day and night-found in lakes-pondsmarshes-canals-ditches-streams-eats frogs-fish-crayfish-salamanders Flees if given the chance-but will bite if cornered Leave them alone-we need them! King snake consuming Copper head

12 King snake- So. Chesapeake Cottonmouth- N.E. Chesapeake Black snake- N.E. Chesapeake Copperhead-Suffolk- Karen Akaratovic

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14 More Critters You Might See Ticks- require blood meal to complete life cycle-transmit disease Lone Star- Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and STARI Deer (Black-legged)- Lyme disease-anaplasmosis-babesiosis American Dog- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Found in tall grass Need to be attached 24 to 48 hours to transmit disease

15 More Critters You Might See Chiggers Red Bugs Found in shaded grassy areas Don t embed in the skin Saliva makes you itch severely Can cause secondary infection

16 Mosquitoes Larva/Pupa Sampling Techniques Use dipper to collect sample Watch out for your shadow! Twist and twirl bag (leave room for air!) Write with pen- Not a Sharpie Date/Location/Habitat

17 Larvae Mosquito Larvae Phantom Midge Larvae

18 Mistaken Identity

19 Plants to Avoid Poison Ivy Virginia Creeper-Mistaken for poison Poison Oak Poison Sumac

20 Critter Control READ THE LABLE- make sure your pest is listed! Wear products containing DEET on exposed skin when outside to avoid mosquito bites- apply according to label directions Apply products with permethrin (Permanone) to shoes and clothing to avoid ticks- follow label directions

21 Job Protocol Keep cell phone usage to a min. Don t use while driving!!! Be attentive to your job situation You are representing a city or county- Citizens are watching and listening! Wear issued safety clothes i.e. boots, hats Apply repellant before going out in the field Learn something and have fun!

22 Thank-you