Each year we include the obligatory article about insect encounters.
We are in tick season now, so please remember to be sure and check yourself for ticks after each hike. Check yourself all over. You can't feel them on you until they have already burrowed in. They will wander around (unfelt) on your body until they find a place to dig in and feed. While we don’t have the types of ticks in the Pacific Northwest that can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme’s Disease, it’s still best to be vigilant of these small critters. Click on this link for information on how to remove a tick if you find one: http://dermatology.about.com/cs/miscellaneous/a/tick.htm
The first person in the hiking group is often dubbed "Web Eater", especially early in the day. If you happen to walk through a spider web, walk clear of the area and have a hiking companion check your head, back and neck for any spiders that may have come along for the ride. If you have trekking poles, you might swipe the path ahead like a swashbuckler!
You will soon be encountering mosquitoes and black flies on some trails. Be sure to carry insect repellent with you or some way of covering up to discourage these pesky critters. While it may be effective, most people find the smell and oiliness of DEET to be repulsive. Experiment with some less potent applications like citronella or eucalyptus-based repellents, or Permethrin-treated fabrics. If you'd prefer to just cover up, plan ahead and wear pants instead of shorts, pack a long-sleeved shirt, lightweight gloves and a head net.
Finally, bees, yellow jackets, paper wasps and hornets pose a threat in early summer through the first hard frost. Avoid perfumes and scented lotions, and bright or flower-patterned clothing. If you have allergies to bee stings, be sure to discuss it with your doctor and request a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen).
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