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Minibeasts
Ants -Bull (or Bulldog) ant, Jumper ant and
Greenhead ant
FEATURES:
are aggressive, using their sting to protect themselves only if attacked by
animals or disturbed by people.
FOUND:
in the bush, large blocks of land, lawns and farmlands.
PRECAUTIONS:
wear shoes and socks while walking in the bush.
TREATMENT:
Bees and Wasps
FEATURES:
Native bees are harmless and unaggressive. The hive bee or European honeybee (Apis
melifera), brought to Australia for honey production, will attack only in defence of
its hive or when provoked (eg trodden on). Honeybees in many countries, cause more deaths
than all other venomous creatures put together.
Bees have a single barbed sting, similar to a harpoon. When a bee stings it dies as the sting is torn from its body and remains in the victim. Wasps can inflict multiple stings because their sting is unbarbed and can be withdrawn and reused on their victim.
European wasps are fiercely aggressive in protecting their nest.
FOUND:
Bees - where ever there are flowering plants.
Wasps - they are attracted to sweet things such as fruit, juices and lemonade, meat, pet food and garbage cans.
PRECAUTIONS:
Wear shoes when walking on lawns that also have flowers in them.
Do not leave fruit and sweet drinks uncovered in the open.
Do not touch or interfere with a nest before you seek advice from your local council as to the best method of destroying a nest.
TREATMENT:
Bee and wasp stings: In most cases, bee and wasp stings cause only local pain and
swelling.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
IF SWELLING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE SITE OF THE BITE, EYE;LIDS AND LIPS BECOME SWOLLEN, BREATHING BECOMES LABOURED AND NOISY - if bite is on a limb apply pressure-immobilisation method (refer to snake bite treatment),
administer emergency drugs if the patient is carrying them. If they have no emergency drugs seek medical attention urgently, while continuing to monitor the victim's breathing and pulse. Be prepared to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation it required.
Centipedes
FEATURES: Australian centipedes have a long, flat body that may grow up to a length of 12 cm. Each segment has one pair of legs and a pair of jaws on the head. They normally hunt at night.
Bites usually occur after accidental contact as Centipedes are generally not aggressive to humans. It seems that there is a relationship between the size of the centipede and the amount of pain suffering caused ie. the larger the centipede the more painful symptoms after a bite.
FOUND: Throughout Australia, most commonly seen in gardens hiding under rocks, debris and leaf litter.
PRECAUTIONS: Wear gloves while gardening.
TREATMENT:
Wash and disinfect bite area.
Obtain medical advice if symptoms worsen or if common painkillers bring no relief from pain.
Scorpions
FEATURES: Like spiders, scorpions are arachnids. However they are different to spiders in many ways. They have two pincers in front of four pair of walking legs, segmented body that has no 'waist' between thorax and abdomen and they had a long and flexible tail (telson) that ends in a sting.
FOUND:They are common throughout Australia under leaf litter, bark, rocks or in sandy burrows in the drier parts of Australia.
They are not aggressive animals but will sting if accidentally touched or provoked.
PRECAUTIONS:
Wear gloves when gardening.
Before use check/shake, shoes, clothing, sleeping bags when camping.
TREATMENT:
Apply a cold compress (bag of iced water) and elevate the stung area for about 20 minutes to reduce local pain.
Take painkilling drugs and seek medical advice for more severe reactions.
