Belarusians massively complain about the activation of forest bloodsuckers. And these are not ticks
Messages about insects attacking people during forest walks and mushroom picking are increasingly appearing on social media. This is not only about the familiar ticks, but also about the deer ked, popularly known as the moose fly, moose louse, or moose tick, writes "Minskaya Prauda".
This parasite mainly lives on large forest animals — moose, deer, and roe deer, but can also attack humans. Once it lands on a person, the insect is capable of shedding its wings and actively moving over clothing, hair, and skin. Keds particularly often crawl under clothing or into hair, making it difficult to simply brush them off.
The peak activity of these insects occurs in late summer and early autumn — a period when Belarusians massively head to the forest for mushrooms.
On social media, people complain not only about the bites themselves, but also about their consequences. Some claim that the marks may not heal for months, sometimes even up to nine months. However, the reaction to a bite depends on the individual's body. Itching, redness, swelling, papules, and sometimes blisters may occur. In case of a pronounced inflammatory reaction, itching can persist for quite a long time.
Encounters with keds are discussed by Threads users from various regions of Belarus, including Minsk, Mogilev, and Vitebsk regions.
People share their own protection methods. Some purchase special protective suits, others carefully tuck in their clothes, and some use tape, wrapping it around the junctions of trousers and shoes, sleeves, and other possible entry points for insects.
One Threads user advises choosing polyester clothing. According to him, it better protects against insects than cotton, and repellents stay on such fabric longer. However, this advice is the user's personal opinion, not a confirmed recommendation from specialists.
There are also tips to use a mixture of clove oil and alcohol in equal proportions, spraying it on clothing. However, one should be careful with homemade remedies: essential oils and alcohol solutions can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Some users have even temporarily given up on forest trips and mushroom picking. Specialists, however, advise not to panic, but to adhere to usual preventive measures: wear closed clothing and headwear, use repellents, and carefully inspect clothes and body upon return.
Thus, during this year's forest trips, it is worth remembering not only about finding mushrooms but also about protection against bloodsuckers.
Comments
Звычайныя ласіные кляшчы, яны заўсёды былі. А на прыдумлялі нейкіх касцюмаў са спандбонда..трындзец, мля.
Паніку наўкол іх разганяюць хрэнавы вытворцы захіснай спецадзежы для рыбакоў і паляўнічых, ды бізнэсмэны, што ёю гандлююць. Паўздымалі кошты, вышэй няма куды, ніхто не бярэ, дык яны страшылкі разганяюць, каб беглі па іх тавар.