Best Tent Camping: Alabama. Joe Cuhaj

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      If you have these symptoms, don’t scratch the infected area. Wash and dry the rash thoroughly, then apply calamine lotion or a similar product that will help dry it. If itching or blistering is severe, seek medical attention. And remember, oil-contaminated clothes, pets, or hiking gear can easily cause an irritating rash on you or someone else, so wash not only any exposed parts of your body but also clothes, gear, and pets.

      Mosquitoes and Yellow Flies

      You can’t escape them. They can be found everywhere from north to south Alabama. Mosquitoes are literally after your blood, and while it’s rare, they can infect humans with the West Nile virus. Culex mosquitoes, the primary variety that can transmit West Nile virus, thrive in urban rather than natural areas. They lay their eggs in stagnant water and can breed in any standing water that remains for more than five days. Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms, but some may become ill, usually 3–15 days after being bitten.

      Anytime you expect mosquitoes to be buzzing around, you may want to wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants, and socks. Loose-fitting, light-colored clothing is best. Spray clothing with insect repellent. Remember to follow the instructions on the repellent and to take extra care to protect children against these insects.

      Another nuisance in the South is yellow flies. These yellow-bodied insects live in shady, humid areas along the edges of rivers, creeks, streams, and forests. Like the mosquito, yellow flies are out for a little blood, and once one bites you, expect the crew to join in. You could find yourself with 20 or 30 yellow flies attacking at one time.

      Unlike the mosquito their bite is fierce. While they can bite any part of the body, they mainly focus on the head, neck, and shoulders, and once they have your scent, they are almost impossible to get rid of. The best way to avoid them is to stay in sunny open areas. If you are on the move, for example hiking, move at a fast jog. And unfortunately, insect repellents have little effect on yellow flies.

      Snakes

      More than 50 species of snakes call Alabama home, but only 6 are venomous (poisonous): the copperhead, eastern diamondback rattler, eastern cottonmouth or water moccasin, pygmy rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake. Most of these are common throughout the state with the exception of the pygmy rattlesnake and eastern diamondback, which are described as being rare to uncommon and are believed to be declining in numbers. In any event a good rule of thumb is to give whatever animal you encounter a wide berth and leave it alone.

      Alligators

      Nothing adds to your camping adventure like spotting an alligator or two relaxing in the sun or floating along a river or bayou. Alligators can be found from the Gulf to Montgomery. Remember, alligators are naturally afraid of humans, but don’t feed them! Feeding them changes the pecking order, and they become reliant on people for food, and that could mean you or your dog.

      Ticks

      Ticks like to hang out in the brush that grows along trails, and while there are certain species of ticks that live in one region of the state or another, it is safe to say that ticks are common throughout Alabama.

      Warm weather brings them out. Ticks are not insects but arachnids that need a host to continue their life cycle. The primary types of ticks are deer and dog ticks and are very small when they light upon you. It usually takes several hours for a tick to attach itself and transmit any diseases. The best strategy when you’re in the woods is to do a tick check every half hour or so, that is, visual inspections to make sure that you don’t СКАЧАТЬ