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
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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
Ticks can spread
serious disease
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
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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
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Watch for signs of spiders
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Wear heavy gloves when moving piles of brush
or wood
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You may not feel the bite
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You may have a tingling feeling, or sudden
nausea or stomach pain
Spiders
Black Widow
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Recognize this striking
black spider by the red
hour glass marking.
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Males may be smaller &
brownish.
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The Black Widow has a
venom that is 15 times
more poisonous than
rattlesnake venom!
Spiders
Black 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
Hobo
Serious spider bites in the
Northwest are more likely to
be from this Brown Recluse
Spider’s cousin…
Scorpions
These 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
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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.
Can
you
tell
which
is
Snakes
Venomous snakes have slit pupils rather than round ones.
the
dangerous
They also have heart
shaped
heads and often havesnake?
rattles or
bony protrusions on their tails.
At first glance, this snake may look like a rattler, but note it’s
eyes are round- different than a venomous snake.
Venomous Snakes

Arrow shaped heads
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Cat-like eyes
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Rattlesnakes have horney buttons or
rattles

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.

SNAKES ARE OFTEN
Watch out for snakes under houses, piles of wood or stone and
DIFFICULT TO SEE
in tall grass

Be careful when reaching over objects or around rocks.
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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
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Rodents are everywhere
They can cause
•
•
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•
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•
Structural damage,
Electrical damage
Fires
Unsanitary conditions
Disease
Unsightly messes
Rodents- Mice
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Hanta virus & Hemorrhagic Fever
Fresh rodent urine droppings or saliva
RODENT CLEAN UP
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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Be aware
•
•
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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!
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