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Rainforest leeches live in damp leaf litter, preferring warm, moist conditions. Leeches are a nuisance but are harmless.
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| Leeches are a nuisance, but are harmless |
Leeches climb legs and attach themselves to any bare flesh.
To deter leeches, apply repellent over shoes and socks - wear your socks over trousers (you may look slightly strange, but this helps keep the leeches off).
Leeches detach if exposed to flame or sprinkled with salt, insect repellent or alcohol or you can pull them off gently.
Wounds bleed freely because of an anti–coagulant injected by the leech. Scratching the wound may lead to infection.
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