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North Idaho Critter Corner
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Who's Biting Your Ankles? |
Worms, ticks, bats, spiders, bedbugs, mosquitoes and other critters common in northern Idaho can leave us itching, uncomfortable and, sometimes, extremely sick. It's important to recognize probable symptoms so you can get medical attention as early as possible for those bites and infections that can lead to serious illnesses. After a day in the woods, the rash that starts a few days later that looks somewhat like a bulls-eye indicates a tick's bite that could lead to Lyme disease. Untreated, a tick bite can leave you with severe joint pain and swelling, shooting pains, numbness and tingling for years.
Here are some critters found in northern Idaho and the diseases they cause:
- Bats
- Bedbugs
- Cats, Dogs and Ferrets
- Head Lice
- Mice and Hantavirus
- Mites
- Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus
- Snakes
- Spiders
- Ticks
- Waterfowl and Game Birds
- Wildlife and Game Animals
- Wolves and Echinococcus granulosus