Thread: How careful do we really need to be??

Originally Posted by garryc

The only thing I would like to add, as the other posts have covered most things, is the gnats or sand flies. I spent 3 years in Darwin recently and was well aware of the crocs, snakes etc. But the sand flies got me. I still have the scars to prove it. The sand flies or midges are VERY small but leave a blister up to one centimeter in diameter which then bleeds for weeks. My legs looked like a pizza on a few occasions. The first time I went fishing on the harbour and up into the mangrove creeks I put the insect repellent on after I had my sandals and hat on(I had long sleeved shirt and jeans on). The areas under the sandal straps, watchband and around the hat rim were covered in bites. If you go near water or mangroves, put your insect repellent on all areas that will be bare before you put your clothes on. I also got done like a dinner when camping at Dalhousie Springs on the Simpson Desert crossing. On arriving at Birdsville the lady at the caravan park said she advises all travellers NOT to camp at Dalhousie. regards

Hi Garryc,
This is probably a case of allergic reaction (& not from the beasties themselves) - I know because of my partner's experience. I suspect that your discomfort would have been much reduced by appropriate ingestion of antihistamines.

Originally Posted by Reads90

Jon
snip
As for mossie you need a good spay and that will sort you out.
snip

Isn't that a bit drastic?

Re the aboriginals: I don't see any evidence that they are more likely to "go you" than other Australians (or tourists).

I also like, Rob Hay's, Brian Heljm's & NM's advise.

Watch the outback doco "Wolf Creek".

Spiders :

There is only one poisonsous spider in Australia - the funnel web.

FIRST AID Compression Bandage

The Redback will hurt, but will only kill you if you're old and fragile, or a small child.

FIRST AID Ice pack

The white tail isn't poisonous, it's just got dirty fangs, a bit like getting bitten by a diseased mouse, the mouse itself isn't poisonous.

FIRST AID Wash with soapy water

So with this knowledge, you can feel free to pick up almost any spider in the country.

And watch out for joe blakes and drop bears

Originally Posted by Michael2

Spiders :

There is only one poisonsous spider in Australia - the funnel web.

FIRST AID Compression Bandage

The Redback will hurt, but will only kill you if you're old and fragile, or a small child.

FIRST AID Ice pack

The white tail isn't poisonous, it's just got dirty fangs, a bit like getting bitten by a diseased mouse, the mouse itself isn't poisonous.

FIRST AID Wash with soapy water

So with this knowledge, you can feel free to pick up almost any spider in the country.

Interesting facts however I would never EVER EVER recommend or imply to anyone that they should feel comfortable picking up a spider.

Best and simplest solution is to leave them alone because even if it isn't a normally lethal spider you may have an allergic reaction to it, in which case you're just as dead.

Originally Posted by Michael2

Spiders :

There is only one poisonsous spider in Australia - the funnel web.

FIRST AID Compression Bandage

The Redback will hurt, but will only kill you if you're old and fragile, or a small child.

FIRST AID Ice pack

The white tail isn't poisonous, it's just got dirty fangs, a bit like getting bitten by a diseased mouse, the mouse itself isn't poisonous.

FIRST AID Wash with soapy water

So with this knowledge, you can feel free to pick up almost any spider in the country.

unless it happens to be one of the other 17 species of Australian spiders known to cause serious effects in humans, I think your definition of "poisonous" may need revision.