Know before you go - Little Critters

Compared to the insect perils found in the Amazon, Australian rainforests are very tame in this regard. But there are a few annoying critters which could make your trip a little unpleasant, especially if you are prone to allergies.

Mosquitoes

Mosquito bites are an irritation which most people have experienced throughout the world. In the tropics, however, some species carry viruses which can be serious, with isolated cases of Dengue and Ross River Fevers occurring on the coast during the wet season. The best policy is to avoid being bitten by wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent when walking or camping in wet or swampy areas. (If you are using insect repellent, do not touch any frogs or tadpoles as these chemicals can kill them and keep out of creeks and rivers so the repellent won't rinse off into the water.)

Ticks

Adult ticks can be serious as a feeding female's toxin can cause fatal paralysis and Lyme's Disease.

Avoid walking and camping in thick undergrowth.

When bitten an itchy, raised, crater-like swelling occurs, often followed by a headache and numbness or pain in the affected area. Kill the tick by applying insecticide or alcohol and carefully remove the entire tick with tweezers, making sure that you remove the mouthparts as well as the body. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention.

Scrub Mites

In the animal kingdom, it's the smallest creatures that are often the biggest problem. Tiny, black scrub mites are common in the forest and near beaches and unlike mosquitos, usually bite under clothing instead of on open skin. Most bites are where clothing is constricted such as under waistbands and underwear. The insect is too small to be noticed but their bite leaves a small red spot on the skin. Scrub mites (also known as scrub-itch) live on the ground and in logs, so avoid sitting directly on the ground - use a ground sheet and insect repellent to keep them at bay. If bitten, remove mites with head lice treatment and wash all clothing. Another good treatment is to pour rubbing alcohol all over your skin after you return from a rainforest walk or camping. Leave the rubbing alcohol on overnight and shower the next morning.

Spiders

Some Wet Tropics spiders can be rather large and Australia has quite a few of the most venomous spiders in the world.

The rule of thumb is watch where you put your hands when walking through the bush and do not attempt to handle any spider, even if it is small. If a spider enters your tent, gently sweep it out with a broom or use a large glass to trap it; then slide a cardboard under the glass rim, holding it to the glass as you lift it. Take the spider away from your camp to release it.

Other crawling things

Australia has some very large species of centipedes (about 15 cm or 6 inches long) and Bull ants which are up to 3 cm (1 inch) long. Both will inflict really nasty bites as will scorpions which also live in most areas of Australia. Simple awareness of where you sit down or what you grab onto while walking through the forest is the best preventative measure. Don't attempt to handle these critters and they will leave you alone.

Leeches

Blood-sucking leeches are the bane of the bushwalker but they are generally harmless and are not known to transmit any diseases unlike some of the bugs mentioned above. They seem to locate a meal (you and other warm blooded animals) by body heat. As they are mostly on the ground or on moist logs, you'll usually find them on your legs or inside your socks. To deter leeches, apply repellent over shoes and socks. (If you are using insect repellent, do not touch any frogs or tadpoles as these chemicals can kill them and keep out of creeks and rivers so the repellent won't rinse off into the water.) Detach leeches by exposing them to a flame or sprinkling them with salt, tea tree or eucalyptus oil or rubbing alcohol. Sliding a thumb nail under their clinging mouthparts often works as well.

Large insects which are NOT harmful

Some of the largest insects in Australia might scare you because of their sheer size but don't be frightened - they are completely harmless. This includes stick insects, leaf insects, large beetles and some huge moths. Read about how interesting these bugs are in our insects section and Moths page.