Unwelcome Guests: How to Handle Leeches on the Trail

Kickstarting 2023 with Adventures and Advice

Welcome back to the Take A Hike podcast! To kick off 2023, Blair Woodcock, Luen Warneke, and Cherry Judge catch up on their recent holiday adventures and tackle a topic that hits close to home for every North Queensland hiker: dealing with leeches.

Holiday Highlights

Our hosts have been busy exploring near and far:

• Blair Woodcock: Explored the beautiful Forgotten Falls before heading south to hike around Fitzroy Falls and Belmore Falls in New South Wales.
• Luen Warneke: Spent time in Thailand and enjoyed local adventures around Magnetic Island, including hiking, packrafting, and even some abseiling. Luen also mentioned a recent mountain biking trip on the Gorrell Track in the Misty Mountains.
• Cherry Judge: Headed over to New Zealand to visit family and took on the stunning Sentinel Rock walk in the Kaimai Ranges, enjoying breathtaking views over Taranga Harbour.

The "Unwelcome Guests": Leech Wisdom

As much as we love the wet season and the resulting waterfall bounty, it is peak time for leeches. Whether you are trekking in Paluma or elsewhere, they are almost inevitable after a bit of rain. The team shared some harrowing (and humorous) stories, including the reality of finding them under bandaids or even in the eye.

Expert Tips for Removal

When you find a leech attached, the most important thing is to stay calm. Here is the recommended method to remove them without causing infection or unnecessary trauma:

1. Use your fingernail: Gently place your fingernail underneath their mouth area where they are attached to your skin.
2. Apply tension: Pull lightly from the bottom/tail end until there is tension, then use your fingernail to help them release their hold naturally.
3. Avoid pulling blindly: Ripping them off abruptly can cause them to regurgitate, which increases the risk of infection.
4. What to avoid: Our hosts advise against using salt, lighters, or repellents directly on an attached leech, as these methods can cause them to vomit back into the bite site.

Prevention is Key

If you are feeling squeamish, the best defence is good preparation before you hit the trail:

• Use Repellent: Spraying your shoes and socks with a strong DEET-based repellent or using permethrin treatments can significantly reduce leech encounters.
• Keep Moving: If you find yourself in a heavily infested area, often the best tactic is to keep hiking to an open clearing before stopping to check and remove them.

For more incredible local adventures, check out the latest stories and footage on Wanderstories. And as always, keep up to date with the Townsville Bushwalking Club via our website at townsvillebushwalkingclub.com or our Facebook page.

Happy hiking!