You will be lulled to sleep by a symphony of clicking bats, shrieking birds, and buzzing insects if you spend the night in the jungle. It serves as a reminder of the vitality of this valuable ecosystem. Having said that, it can be difficult to appreciate this when you are tucked up in your Hennessy hammock, the rain is pounding on your tarp, the humidity is 90%, and you are itching ribbons of skin off your legs in a frenzy of fingernails. However, you can still appreciate this.

The following are my three least favourite things that can bite, which I try to avoid in the jungle, as well as some important medical considerations.

Leeches

Leeches, in contrast to mosquitoes, rarely transmit disease, despite the fact that these tiny bloodsuckers rank among the most irritating pests. They cleverly inject a local anaesthetic when latching, making them difficult to spot. When you're in a group, the best advice is to keep an eye out for leeches. They also inject an anticoagulant, which is why removing them causes so much bleeding.

If the bite is not treated appropriately, it may result in an open wound that could become infected. Squeezing, salting, or burning the leech causes it to regurgitate its stomach contents, which increases the likelihood of infection. Either waiting or scraping is the best removal strategy. Although the majority of people lack that level of composure, they typically leave after they've had their fill within about forty minutes.

Utilizing a flat-edged tool (such as a credit card) or your fingernail to carefully scrape them off sideways is a preferred method. Find the location where the mouth is located at the skin, stretch the skin taught, and so on. After dressing the wound, a few drops of the antiseptic betadine are sufficient. The little leeches are truly bizarre.

They have 32 brains, six hearts, and 10 eyes, amusing fact! Using vibration-detecting mechanoreceptors and CO2 gradients, they hunt prey, including humans. Yes, they can detect your breathing!

Bullet Ants

If you want to experience a deep drilling pain that you can feel right down to your bones, then go get yourself bitten by a bullet ant. These aren't the typical ants. They are native to South America and live in colonies at the base of trees. They resemble wingless wasps in appearance. And boy are they powerful.

A small neurotoxic peptide known as poneratoxin is to blame for the pain, which typically lasts between 12 and 24 hours or longer. Thankfully, the toxin does not have any harmful or systemic effects. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms.

Consider administering powerful opioids (such as Oxycodone or Co-Codamol) for analgesia, an oral antihistamine, a topical steroid cream for the associated itching, and a significant dose of reassurance.

Mosquitoes

They are so common in tropical environments, that it is impossible to ignore them. Except for the Ades mosquito, which bites during the day, they are especially bothersome at dawn and dusk. They carry deadly tropical diseases like dengue, malaria, and zika.

Pre-departure planning must include oral malaria prophylaxis that is tailored to the resistance patterns of the destination nation. Any jungle expedition places a strong emphasis on avoiding bites. In head-to-head comparisons of the numerous chemical insect repellents, DEET-based products continue to perform best. Use 30% DEET for maximum protection; stay away from stronger formulations because they will completely ruin your clothing.

At night and in the morning, you should wear long sleeves and sleep with bed nets. As the insects look for a place to hide, the wind and heavy rain provide a welcome respite.

Please do not let this list discourage you from venturing into the jungle if you are considering doing so. If you just take a moment to look at the brilliant red bloom of a Rafflesia, the magnificent buttress roots, and the bolts of light that break through the lush green canopy, you too will become captivated, just like I was!

Consider enrolling in one of our training courses to further prepare for the jungle and wilderness. The Basic Wilderness Life Support course is a great way to learn more about the skills and knowledge you'll need for your next adventure in the wild!