G3564

Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin

A Guide to Insects, Plants, and Wildlife

Scott R. Craven Phillip J. Pellitteri Mark J. Renz

Introduction 1

W I L D L I F E 2

Amphibians 3Salamanders 3Toads 4

Reptiles 4Turtles 5Snakes 5

Birds 8Defendingterritory 8Handlingbirds 8

Mammals 9Short-tailedshrews 9Bats 10Skunks 10Porcupines 11Coyotes 12Graywolves 12Deer 13Blackbears 14

I N S E C T S &other invertebrates 15

Stinging insects 16Beesandwasps 16

Blood-feeding insects 18Mosquitoes 18Deerfliesandhorseflies 20Blackflies 20Bitingmidges 21Ticks 21Chiggers 22

P L A N T S 23

Plants that are poisonous when ingested 24

Poisonhemlock 25

Spottedwaterhemlock 25

Bittersweetnightshade 26

Blacknightshade 26

Jimsonweed 27

Plants that are poisonous on contact 28

Poisonivy 28Poisonsumac 29Wildparsnip 30Stingingnettle 31

Plants that cause hay fever 31Commonragweed 32Giantragweed 32

Thorny, barbed plants 33Bullthistle 33Beggarticks 34Burdock 34Cocklebur 35Sandbur 36

Referencestoproductsinthispub-licationareforyourconvenienceandarenotanendorsementofoneproductoversimilarproducts.

Contents

1

Wisconsin’s bountiful natural resources—clear lakes

and rivers, forests, rolling hills, and interesting land-

forms—make the state an ideal place for outdoor

recreation.

When you hike, camp, hunt, fish, or enjoy other outdoor activi-

ties, you may encounter animals, insects, or plants that are

capable of causing problems. While wild animals, swarms of

biting insects, and poisonous plants do exist in Wisconsin, the

risk of meeting them is actually quite low. In most cases, you

can avoid these natural hazards altogether or handle them

with little difficulty. Using common sense and having a healthy

respect for Wisconsin’s wild creatures and plants will go a long

way toward maximizing your enjoyment of the outdoors.

This guide will help you recognize, avoid, and handle potential

problems caused by wildlife, insects, or plants.

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Wildlife

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Wisconsin’swildlifeincludesmorethan500speciesofamphibians,reptiles,birds,

andmammals.Millionsofdollarsandhoursarespenthunting,observ-ing,studying,andphotographingtheseanimals.Thevastmajorityofthespeciesareabsolutelyharmless.Some,however,caninflictphysicaldamageor,attheveryleast,causeabitofafright!

AmphibiansAllamphibiansfoundinWisconsin—frogs,salamanders,andtoads—arenonvenomousandharmless.Infact,frogsandsalamandersmakeexcel-lentsubjectsforchildrentoobserveandstudy.Thesecreatureshavenoclawsanddonotbite.Ifyoucollectthemforstudy,pleasereturnthemquicklytothesitefromwhichtheycame.BefamiliarwithWisconsinregulationsaboutcaptivewildlife.Donotcollectendangeredorthreat-enedspeciesforanyreason!

SalamandersMostofWisconsin’ssalamandersaresmall,thoughsome,suchasthetigerorspottedvarieties(Ambystomasp.),maygrowto10or12inchesinlength.Youwon’toftenseeasolitarysalamandersincethesereclusivecreaturesseldomcomeintotheopen.Butwhenenvironmentalcon-ditionsareright,youmayencounterlargenumbersofthem.Forexample,awarmearly-springrainmaytriggeramassmovementoftigerorspottedsalamandersfromtheirwoodlandhomestopondsusedasbreedingsites.(Waterisanessentialpartoftheamphibianlifecycle.)Whenthesemigrationsoccur,salamandersmay

literallyfillwindowwells,coverroadways,orotherwisecreatethegeneralimpressionofaninvasion.

Theseanimalsareharmlessandshouldberemovedfromnaturaltrapsandsentontheirway.Thereisnoharminhandlingthemexceptforthepossibilityoftransferringtheir

slimyskinsecretionsintoyoureyes,whichmaycauseannoying—butnotdangerous—eyeirritation.

Frog

Spotted salamander

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MUDPUPPIESThemudpuppy(Necturussp.)isalargeaquaticsala-mander(measuringupto16inches)foundinriversandlakesthroughoutWisconsin.Thoughnotdangerous,mudpuppiescanbite,andtheirsize,bizarreexternalgills,andextremelyslimyskinmaystartleananglerwhoinadvertentlyhooksone.Mudpuppiesshouldbeunhookedandreleased.Theyarerarelyseeninthewild.

ToadsTheamphibianthatconcernspeoplemostoftenisthetoad(Bufo america-nus).Thisismainlyduetothemyththathandlingtoadswillcausewarts.Thereisnoneedforconcern—thetoad’sbumpy,wartyskinisnotcon-tagioustopeopleorotheranimals.

Thelargestbumpsonthetoad’supperbackareactuallyglands.Theseglandssecreteafoul-smellingmilkyfluidthatprotectsthetoadfrombeingeatenbypredatorsandcanirritatehumans’eyeandnosemembranes.Theonlyrealriskinholdingatoadishavingiturinate

onyourhands,whichusuallycausesyoutodropthetoad—exactlywhyitisdone.

ReptilesWisconsin’sreptiles—turtles,snakes,andlizards—aremuchbetterequippedtoprotectthemselvesthanamphibiansare.Mostreptilespecieshavesharpclawsandpower-fuljaws,andtwosnakespeciesarevenomous.Wisconsin’slizards,whichincluderacerunners,skinks,andslenderglasslizards,arequiterareandprefertodwellinsecludedspots.Youaremuchmorelikelytoencoun-teraturtleorsnakethanalizard.

Childrenareattractedtoreptilesasmuchastheyaretoamphib-ians.Andreptiles,likeamphibians,canbeexaminedorphotographedbutshouldalwaysbereturnedtothepointofcapture.Endangeredorthreatenedspecies,suchastheornateboxturtle,shouldbeleftalone!

Mudpuppy

Toad

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TurtlesAllofWisconsin’sturtleshaveclawsandstrongjaws.Youcanprotectyourselffromaturtle’sclawsbyholdingtheanimalsecurelybytheshell,butbesuretokeepawayfromtheturtle’shead—itspowerfuljawsdeserverespect.

Aturtlemaywalkslowlyonland,butitssurprisinglylongneckandheadcanmoverapidly.Anyturtleofmorethanbaseball-sizediametercandeliverabitethatispainful,particu-larlytoachild’sfingers.

SNAPPING TURTLESWisconsin’ssnappingturtles(Chelydra serpen-tina)reachimpressivesizeandarefrequentlyseeninspringwhenfemalessearchfornestingsitesonland.Theyareveryaggressiveoutofthewater!Stayawayfromtheheadend,andifyoumustcarryasnappingturtlebythetail,holditwellawayfromyourlegs.

Snappingturtlescandeliverapainfulbite,butaccordingtoRichardVogtinNatural History of Reptiles and Amphibians of Wisconsin,storiesofpeoplelosingfingersortoestosnappingturtlesare“questionable.”Infact,snappingturtlesrarelybitewhentheyareinthewater,andthefearoflosingafingerortoeleftdan-glinginthewaterisunwarranted.

SnakesWhilesomesnakesareharmlessandotherscandeliverapainfulbite,onlytwoofWisconsin’s20-plussnakespeciesarevenomous:thetimberrattlesnake(Crotalus horridus)andthemassasauga,orswamprattle-snake(Sistrurus catenatus).Through-outmostofWisconsin,thelikelihoodofencounteringavenomoussnakeisveryslim.

VENOMOUS SNAKESThelargerandmoredangerousofWisconsin’stwovenomoussnakesisthetimber rattlesnake,whichsometimesreacheslengthsof4½feetormore.ThetimberrattlerisaprotectedspeciesinWisconsin.Itisayellowishsnakewithbold,narrowdarkbands;anunmarkedyellowtoyellowish-tanhead;ablacktail;andtanrattles.

Snapping turtle

6

Timberrattlerslivemainlynearcliffs,rockoutcroppings,andsteep,rockyhillsidesalongtheWisconsinandMississippirivers

andtheirtributariesinsouthwesternWisconsin(seemap).However,theymayoccasionallyturnupoutsidethisprimaryrange.

Timberrattlersareaggressivewhencorneredandarequitevenomous.Ifyouarehikingorhuntinginthetimberrattler’srangeandhabitat,beextremelycautiousaboutwhereyouplaceyourhandsandfeetwhenyouclimbaroundrocksorwalknearthickbrushpiles,fallentrees,and

woodpiles.Youshouldalsoknow,fromconsultingafirst-aidguide,whattodoincaseyouarebittenbyavenomoussnake.

Themassasaugaisasmall-tomedium-sized,heavy-bodiedsnakethatlivesinlowmarshyorswampyareasinwest-centralWisconsin.Ittendstobegrayerthanthetimberrattlesnakeandhasdistinctivestripesonitshead.

Themassasaugaisanendangeredspeciesandisrarelyseen.Ithasdisappearedfrommostofthe62Wisconsintownshipsinwhichitwasfoundbefore1980,andnowonlyafewisolatedpopulationsareknowntoexistinthesouthwesternthirdofthestate,asfareastasWalworthCounty.

Themassasaugahaslethalvenomandhumanshavediedfromitsbite,thoughnorecordofsuchdeathsexistsinWisconsin.Itsbiteisseldomfatal,althoughitcanbeseriousifleftuntreated.

timber rattlesnake territory

Timber rattlesnake

Massasauga

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NONVENOMOUS SNAKESSeveralnonvenomousWisconsinsnakes,includingthebullsnake,foxsnake,ratsnake,andracer,canreachlengthsof4feetormore.Allhavenumeroussharpteethandcandeliverapainfulbite.Ratsnakes(Pantherophis spiloides)andNorthernwatersnakes(Nerodia sipedon)havenastydispositionsandwillstrikewithlittleprovocation,whilehognosesnakes(Heterodon platyrhinos)willrarelybite,evenifprovoked.Severalofthesmallerspecies,suchasgartersnakes,canbehandledsafelywithonlytheriskofprovokingafoul-smellingexcretion.

DISTINGUISHING VENOMOUS AND NONVENOMOUS SNAKESThereareseveralwaystodistinguishvenomoussnakesfromnonvenom-oussnakes.Inthefield,thetimberrattlesnakeandmassasaugacanbeidentifiedbytheirobviousrattlesandcolorpatterns.InWisconsin,anysnakethatissolidcoloredorhaslengthwisestripesisnonvenomous.

BothofWisconsin’svenomoussnakesbelongtothepitviperfamily,so-namedbecauseofapit,ordepression,infrontofeacheye(seediagrambelow).Thepitsareheat-sensingorgansthataidinlocatingandseekingwarm-bloodedprey.Nonvenomoussnakeshavenopits.

Venomoussnakeshaveelliptical,ver-ticaleyepupils,whilenonvenomousvarietieshaveroundpupils.Also,thescalesontheundersideofthetailsofWisconsin’svenomousandnonven-omoussnakesdiffer(seediagramatlowerleft).

Youcanexaminethecharacteristicsofadeadsnakeinmoredetail,butdon’tkillasnakeforthispurpose.Becarefulwhenapproachingandexamininganapparentlydeadsnake.Itmayonlyappeardead.Afreshly“killed”snakecanturnitsheadandbitebyreflexaction.

Formoreonsnakeidentification,seetheUniversityofWisconsin-ExtensionpublicationSnakes of Wisconsin(G3139),theexcellentWisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources(DNR)publicationbythesamename(Snakes of Wisconsin),orahigh-qualityfieldguide.

Pit viper

nostril

pit

elliptical,verticalpupil

Venomous snake

Singlerowofscalesunderendoftail

Nonvenomous snake

Doublerowofscalesunderendoftail

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BirdsBirdsshouldbeasourceofinter-estandwonderfortheoutdoorsenthusiast—notasafetyconcern.Althoughsomelargerspecieshavesharptalonsorimpressivebills,theyusethemonlytoobtainfoodordefendthemselves.Birdscanbedangerousintwosituations:whentheyaredefendingtheirnestsorterritoriesandwhentheyhavebeeninjuredorincapacitated.

Defending territoryManybirds,fromswallowsandblackbirdstohawks,owls,andswans,becomeveryaggressiveanddefen-siveduringthenestingseason.Swal-lowsfrequentlydiveatpeoplewhoapproachtheirnests,andsomemayevenstrikeanintruder’shead.Suchbehaviorisannoyingbutishardlyasafetyproblem.

Largerbirdscaninflictsomedamage.Largewaterfowl(suchasgeeseandswans)andmostraptors(includ-inghawks,owls,andeagles)havepowerfulwingsandstrong,oftensharp,bills;andraptorshavedanger-oustalons.Cooper’shawksnestinginurbanandsuburbansettingsareespeciallyaggressive.Asuddenstrikeatabicyclistorjoggercancauseafallandpossibleinjury.Never approach a raptor’s nest.Itisillegal,potentiallydestructivetotheeggsoryoung,anddangerousforyou.Evenexperiencedresearchershavebeeninjuredbytheblowsortalonsofsuchbirdswhileworkingatnestsites.

Handling birdsPeoplefrequentlyattempttoaidinjuredbirds.Whiletheirconcernisadmirable,birdsmustbehandledproperlytoavoidfurtherinjurytothebirdandinjurytothepersonhelping.Red-tailed hawk

Bald eagle

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Calmalargebirdbycoveringitwithaboxorblanket.Ifyouplantomovethebirdbyhand,restrainitswingsandfeet.Thebillofahawkorowlmaylookthreatening,butitistheneedle-sharptalonsthatmustbecontrolled.Ifthebirdisinnoimmedi-atedangerorcanbecoaxedorputintoalargebox,leavethehandlingtoanexperiencedrehabilitatororbiologist.

MammalsFearsof“wildanimals”areusuallydirectedatmammals.Somemammalshavetheteeth,claws,orsizetoinjureorevenkillpeople,buttheyrarelydo.Bynature,wildmammalsavoidhumancontact,andoutrightattacksarealmostunknown.Whenattacksdooccur,theyalmostalwaysinvolvecornered,sick,orinjuredanimals,ormothersdefend-ingtheiryoung.OnlyoneWisconsinmammalisvenomous:theshort-tailedshrew.

Afewfactsandcommonsenserulesshouldguideyouractionswhendealingwithanywildmammal:

• Unusualbehavior—suchastameness,erraticmovement,andactivityduringunusualhoursoftheday—suggeststhatamammalissickorinjuredandshouldbeavoided.Severaldiseasescommoninwildmammalsaretransmissibletohumansandarepotentiallydangerous.Contactalicensedre-

habilitator,abiologist,orananimalprotectionorganizationsuchastheHumaneSocietyifyoubelieveananimalneedshelp.

• Donotencourageorallowchil-drentocollect,touch,ormakepetsofyoungormaturewildanimals.

• Donotcorner,grab,orthreatenanywildmammal—evenoneassmallasamouse.Mostwillfighttenaciouslytodefendthemselves.Arabbit,squirrel,orothermammalcandeliveranastybiteorscratch.

Short-tailed shrewsTheshort-tailedshrew(Blarina brevi-cauda),foundthroughoutWisconsin,isasmall,dark-grayanimalabout4to6incheslong,withashorttail.Itsfurisveryshortandsleek,andithassmalleyesandapointedsnout.Short-tailedshrewsareoftencon-fusedwithmeadowmice(Microtussp.).Allshrewsarecarnivorous,andtheshort-tailedshrewusesitsvenomoussalivatohelpsubdueprey(suchasmice),whichmaybeaslargeasitis.Thebiteofashort-tailedshrewmaycausepainfulswellingbutisnotlifethreatening.

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BatsBatsareinteresting,beneficialcrea-tures.Mostcommonfearsofbatsarenotbasedonfacts.Notallbatsarerabid;batsdonotbitetoconsumeblood(vampirebatsdonotdwellanywherenearWisconsin);andbatswillnotintentionallyentanglethem-selvesinlonghair.However,batsshouldneverbehandled.Theriskofrabiesissmallbutreal.Ifbittenbyabat,seekmedicalattention.Ifyouhaveproblemswithunwantedbatcolonies,consulttheUW-ExtensionpublicationBats: Information for Wisconsin Homeowners(G3096).

SkunksEveryonerecognizesthedistinctiveblackandwhitepatternofaskunkassomethingtoavoid,andwithgoodreason!Stripedskunks(Mephitis mephitis)arefoundthroughoutWisconsininavarietyofhabitats,includingbackyardsandparks.Anencounterwithaskunkoftenresultsinasmellysituationforpeopleandpets.

Asadefensivestrategy,skunksusepowerfulmusclestoforcefullyexpelanoilysprayfromglandsontheirbackside,andthestrategyworksratherwell.Theycanprojectthesprayratheraccuratelyupto10feetbeforeitbecomesmoreofamist,effectiveforaboutanother10feet.Adirecthitintheeyescreatesanintenseburningsensation.Ahitanywhereelseonthebodyoronclothesjustcreatesasmellymess.Evenifyouarenothitbyspray,theentireareawillsmell“likeskunk”forquiteawhile.

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Ifsprayed,washclothesandpetswithamixtureof3%hydrogenper-oxidesolution(fromthedrugstore),¼cupbakingsoda,andateaspoonofliquidhandsoap.Becarefulnottogetthismixtureinyoureyesoryourpet’seyes,andcheckforcolorfastnessonclothes.Oncethesmellhasbeenneutralized,rinsethepetoritemofclothingthoroughly.Also,ifstoringextramixtureforfutureuse,donotkeepitinasealedcontainer,asitwillbecomeexplosiveifcon-fined.Warm,soapywaterandcom-mercialskunkdeodorizerssuchasSkunk-OfforOdor-Solwillalsowork.Avarietyofhomeremediessuchastomatojuicemayprovidesomerelief,butdon’tcountonit.

Youcanminimizetheriskofbeingsprayedbygivinganyskunkawideberth.Unlessprovoked,skunksarequitedocile.Askunkbiteispotentiallymuchworsethanbeingsprayed,asskunksareamaincarrierofrabies.Ifyouarebittenbyaskunk,seekmedicalattention.

PorcupinesPorcupines(Erethizon dorsatum)arelarge,slow-moving,forest-dwellingrodentsthataremostabundantinthenorthernhalfofWisconsin.“Porkies”arewellprotectedbyadensecoatofsharp,stiffquills—thousandsofthem.Contrarytopopularbelief,porcupinescannotthrowordirectquillstodefendthemselves.Thequillsareloosely

attachedtotheanimal’sskin,sotheyflyaboutastheanimalmovessuddenlyorlashesoutwithitsquill-coveredtail.Ifapersonorpetcomesindirectcontactwithaporcupine,alargenumberofquillscanbecomeembeddedintheperson’shandsorthepet’smouth.

Eachquillhastinybarbsnearitstip(asonafishhook),soonceaquillisembedded,itrequiressomeforceandapairofpliersorforcepstoremoveit.Anybitsofquillleftembeddedcanleadtopersistentpainorinfection.Apetwithmanyquillsinitsfaceormouthshouldbetakentoavetfortreatment.Porcupinesmoveveryslowly,arenotaggressive,andshouldbeeasytodistinguishfromanyotheranimal.Thustheyshouldbeeasytoavoid.

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CoyotesCoyoteshavebecomeaconcerninsomeurbanandsuburbanareasinWisconsin.Theyhavebeenknowntokillcatsandsmalldogsandmayattacklargerdogs.Keepallpetsunderclosesupervisionanddonotallowthemtoroamfreely,especiallyinareasknowntobefrequentedbycoyotes.

Neverfeedcoyotesordoanythingthatcausesthemtoloosetheirnaturalfearofhumans.Theriskofacoyoteattackonapersonislow,butitdoesexist.Youngchildrenshouldbecloselysupervisedinareascoyotesareknowntofrequent,wherecoyoteshavedisplayedlittlefearofhumans,orwhereattacksonpetshavebeendocumented.

Inthepresenceofacoyote,shout,makenoise,orthrowsomethinginitsdirection.Reportcoyoteproblemsandencounterstolocalauthorities.

Gray wolvesGraywolves,ortimberwolves,havemadeatremendouscomebacksince1960,whentheywereconsideredextinctinWisconsin.ThecomebackstartedwithafewindividualsthatmovedintoWisconsinfromMinne-sota.By1980,therewereperhaps25wolvesinWisconsin,andtheyweredesignatedanendangeredspecies.Fromthatpointon,protection,publiceducation,andthewolvesthemselvescontributedtoasteadyincreasetoabout700animalsby2010.InWisconsin,mostwolvesliveinthenorthernhalfofthestate,buttherehavebeenregularsightingsofwolvesinmanycountiesallthewaytotheIllinoisborder.

Wolfnumbersandmanagementarecontentiousissues,aggravatedbywolfdepredationsonlivestock,huntingdogs,andpets,andbythepotentialthreattohumansaswolvesbecomemorehabituatedtohumansandtheiractivities.Wolveshavebeenonandofftheendangeredspecieslistinrecentyears,whichcomplicatesresourcemanagers’responsetowolfproblems.

Wolf

Coyote

13

WhilewolvesdokilllivestockanddogsinWisconsin,mostdoginci-dentsinvolvehoundsortrailingdogsrunningthroughwolfterritories.Therisktobird-huntingdogsorpetsunderclosecontroloftheirownersisminimalbutdoesexist.Dogownersshouldknowthegenerallocationofwolfpacks,especiallythosewithahistoryofaggressivebehavior.TheDNRcanprovideyouwiththisinformation.Therehavebeendocu-mentedattacksonhumansinNorthAmerica,buttheyareveryrare.Andnotuntilrecentlywasafatalattackdocumented,innorthernCanada.

Potentialproblemsbetweenhumansandwolvesareworsenedbyill-advisedfeedingandotherhumanactivitythatcauseswolvestolosetheirfearofpeople.Itislegaltoprotectdomesticanimalsonyourproperty,anditislegaltoprotectyourselfandothersanywhereifthreatenedwithawolfattack.TheDNR,theInternationalWolfCenter,andotherorganizationsprovidedetailedinformationonlivingwithwolves.Pleasereportencounterswithfearlessoraggressivewolvestoalocalgovernmentoffice(DNRorUSDAWildlifeServices).

DeerDeerareabundantthroughoutWis-consin.Deer-vehiclecollisionsresultinhumandeathandinjury,millionsofdollarsinpropertyloss,deathandinjurytothedeer(35,000ormoreannuallyinWisconsin),andmentalanguishforthedriver.Thereisnofoolproofwaytoeliminatedeer-vehiclecollisions.Fencing,reduc-ingthedeerpopulation,interceptfeeding,andmechanicalgadgetsallhavelimitations.

Thebestadviceonavoidingdeer-vehiclecollisionsistorecognizetheriskanddrivedefensively.Knowtheseasonswhentheriskofencounter-ingdeerishighest(fallandspring),thetimesofgreatestdeeractivity(earlymorningandlateevening),andtheareasofgreatestrisk(oftenmarkedbydeer-crossingsigns).Slowingdownandbeingalertfordeerwilldomoretoreducecollisionsthananythingelse.Motorcyclistsshouldbeespeciallycautious,asthereislittleprotectionforthedriverinacollision.

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Black bearsBlackbearsarelarge,powerfulanimals.Likethewolfpopulation,thebearpopulationhasbeengrowingandexpandingsouthwardinWis-consin.Researchin2007and2008suggeststhattherecouldbe30,000ormorebearslivinginWisconsin—twiceasmanyaswerepreviouslythoughttoliveinthestate.

Bearscausedamagetosomecrops,beehives,andstructures,andtheyannoycampersandhomeownersintheirpersistentsearchforfood.Theyarecapableofinjuringorkillinghumans,butattacksarerare.Whenanattackdoesoccur,itgener-atesheadlinenews,resultinginadistortedperceptionofthetrueriskposedbyblackbears.

Mostbearswillfleeatanysignofhumans,perhapsbecausetheyremainapopulargameanimalinWisconsin.Ifyouseeabear,yell,wave,orbangonsomethingtoalertthebeartoyourpresence.Abearhabituatedtopeopleatacampgroundorparkmaybemorereluctanttoleaveafoodsource.Backawayfromsuchanencounter.Eliminateanyattractantsforbearsbyproperlyhandlingandstoringitemssuchasfood,garbage,andbirdseed.

Intheunlikelyeventofanattack,pepperspraymayrepelthebear.Rememberthatbearsclimbwell,soatreeisnotagoodrefugefromanattack.Mostexpertsrecommendthatyouvigorouslyfightbackagainstanactualattack.Formoreinformation,seetheResourceslistattheendofthispublication.

Insects & other invertebrates

16

Therearemorethan20,000differ-entinsects,spiders,andrelatedcreaturesthatyoucouldmeet

duringasummerwalkinWisconsin.Over95%ofthemarecompletelyharmless,andlessthan1%oftherestgooutoftheirwaytotormentpeople.Insectsandotherinverte-bratesattackpeoplefortworeasons:toobtainfoodandtodefendthemselves.

Mosquitoes,deerflies,horseflies,blackflies,ticks,andchiggersrequireanimalorhumanbloodasfood.Anyotherbiteorstingisadefensiveorprotectivereactionbytheinsect.Mostinsects,suchasadultbutter-flies,moths,anddragonflies,arenotcapableofbitingorstingingpeople.Butifyouareunfamiliarwithaninsect,itisbettertoobserveitratherthanpickitup.

Stinging insectsWhilesomeinsectsdosting,othersjustseemasiftheydo.Someinsectshaveabitethatcanfeellikeasting.Manyinsectsfeedoneachotherorsimilarsmallcreatures,andsuchpredatorshavepowerfulenzymesandproteinsintheirsalivathatparalyze,kill,ordigesttheirprey.Ifoneofthesepredaciouscreaturesismishandled,itcaninflictapainfulbitethatmaytaketimetoheal.Thebitemaybemistakenforasting,butnostingerisleftbehind.Theonlytreatmentrequiredistoputiceonthesiteifswellingdevelops.

Sometypesofhairyorspinycaterpil-larsarecoveredwithurticating,orstinging,hairs.Thesehairscontainapoisoncellgland,andifrubbed,thehairswillbreak,releasingenzymesthatcauseblisters,burns,orrashes.Thesensationsfeelsimilartothosecausedbyastingingnettleplant.

Bees and waspsBeesandwasps(andsomeants)haveaspecialdefensiveweapon—thestinger.Bynature,theseinsectsarenotaggressive,buttheycanbecomesoiftheirnestsaredis-turbedoriftheyaretrappedorconfined.

Thehoneybeestingerisbarbedmuchlikeafishhook.Thehoneybeefliesawayafterstingingbutleavesitsstingerandpoisonsacbehind,whicheventuallykillsthebee.Themuscularpoisonsacwillcontinuetopumpvenom,soremovethestingerpromptlybyscrapingitwithyourfingernail,aknife,oraplasticcard.Donottrytopickthestingeroffwithyourfingersbecausethissqueezesthepoisonsac,injectingmoreenzymesandpoisonsintoyourskin.

Honeybee

17

Allotherstingingbeesandwaspshaveunbarbedstingersandcanstingrepeatedlyifgiventheopportunity.Theamountofvenominjectedwillaffecttheseverityofthereaction.Mostspeciesofbeesandwaspswillstingiftheyfeelthreat-enedbutwillallowyoutocalmlybrushthemawayifyoumoveslowly.

Yellow jacketsareresponsibleforamarkedincreaseinstingsandrelatedproblemsfromearlyAugustthroughSeptember.Thisblackandyellowwaspisslightlysmallerthanthehoneybee.Someyellowjacketsbuildnestsofpaperinrodentburrowsorothercavities.Inspringandearlysummer,whencoloniesaresmall,theysurvivebyfeedingonotherinsects.Inlatesummer,whenthecolonieshaveincreasedinsize,yellowjacketsareforcedtoseekextranourishmentintheformofsugarorprotein.Thus,theycompetewithanyonetryingtoeatasandwich,pickariperaspberry,ordrinkacanofsodaoutdoors.

Takecarewheneatingordrinkingoutdoorsduringthelatesummer.Keepfoodcoveredasmuchaspos-sible,anddisposeoffoodscrapsaftermeals.Topreventyellowjacketsfromforagingneargarbage,puttrashingarbagebinswithtight-fittinglidsorsealitinairtightbags.

STINGSSomesimplemeasurescanhelpyouavoidstingsfrombeesandwasps:

• Don’twearperfumes,hairsprays,suntanlotions,orcosmeticsthatmayattractunwantedattention.

• Don’twalkbarefootoutside.

• Avoidoutdoorcookingandeatingduringtheyellowjacketseason.

• Ifabeeorwasplandsonyou,staycalmandgentlybrushitaway.Suddenmovementsincreaseyourchancesofgettingstung.

Ifyouarestung,youwillfirstfeelintenseburningatthesiteofthesting,followedbyswellingandsevereitchingafterseveralminutes.Swellingmaybelocalizedorinvolveanentirelimb.Applyingiceorcold

Yellow jacket

18

compressestothesitewilldecreaseswellingandslowthemovementoftoxins.Othertreatments,suchashouseholdmeattenderizerorcom-mercialpreparations,willhelpreducepainandneutralizetheproteinsandaminoacidsinthevenom.

Farmoreseriousaretheallergicorsystemicreactionsexperiencedbyabout1%ofthepopulation.Symp-tomssuchasthroatorchestconstric-tion,dizziness,laboredbreathing,fever,confusion,wheezing,oruncon-sciousnessindicateseriousreactionsthatrequiremedicalintervention.Anaphylactic,orhypersensitive,reactionscanbefatal.Suchreactionsoftenoccurwithinthefirsthourafterastingbutmaybedelayedforseveralhours.

Peoplewhoaresensitivetostingsshouldcarryemergencymedicalkitsatalltimesduringthespringandsummer.Apersonwhoissensitivetoonetypeofbeestingmaynotneces-sarilybesensitivetothestingsofallbeesorwasps.Therearemethods

ofdesensitizingpeopletovariousstings.Consultaphysicianformoreinformation.

Blood-feeding insectsBlood-feedinginsectsareknownforrequiringhumanoranimalbloodasfood,butthemalesofmanyspeciesinthisgroupactuallyfeedonnectarandplantjuices.Inmanycases,onlythefemalesrequirebloodmealsbecausetheyneedtheproteinfrombloodtoproducefertileeggs.

MosquitoesMorethan50mosquitospeciesliveinWisconsin.Onlythefemalesofthespeciesrequireabloodmeal.ThemostnotoriousmosquitoescomefromthegenusAedes—thefloodwatermosquitoes.Ifapondorriverbankdriesup,theireggscanremaindormantformonthsoryearsuntiltheycomeintocontactwithwateragain.Adultsappearabouttwoweeksaftertheeggscomeintocontactwithwater,andupto100mosquitoescanemergepersquarefootofwatersurfaceperdayingoodbreedinghabitat.Morethan60%oftheseadultswillmigrateapproxi-mately10to20milesfromtheirbreedingsiteinsearchofabloodmeal.Femalemosquitoeslivefor3to6weeksandcantakemultiplebloodmealsduringthattime.

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Mosquitoesaremostactiveunderlowlightconditions,yetsomeare“daybiters.”Windsabove10milesperhourforcemosquitoestolandandrest;whenthewindsdiedown,theybecomeactiveagain.Avoidbrushy,shadedsites,whichhavethelowlightandpoorairmovementthatattractsmosquitoes.Tempera-turesbelow50˚Fpreventmosqui-toesfromflying,butitusuallytakesthreeorfourkillingfroststoendthemosquitoseason.

Mosquitoesusecarbondioxide,lacticacid,andheattofindtheirhosts.Themoreactiveyouare,themoreoftheseattractantsyougiveoff.Individualsdifferinboththeirattractivenesstomosquitoesandthewaytheirbodiesreacttoabite.Darkcolorsandsomefragrancesalsoattractcertainmosquitoes.

Evenifyousitonasunny,windyhillsideandwearlight-coloredclothing,youcanstillbebittenbyamosquito.Otherthancoveringup,theonlypracticalwaytoavoidmosquitobitesistousearepellentspray,cream,orlotion,whichdoesnotkillmosquitoesbutdoespreventthemfromfindingyou.TheactiveingredientsinrepellentsincludeDEET(N,N-diethyl-metatoluamide),Picaridin[1-Piperidinecarboxylicacid,2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-,1-methyl-propylester],soybeanoil,citronellaoil,andOilofLemonEucalyptus[p-menthane3,8-diol(PMD)].Effec-tivenesscanvaryfrom10minutesto

5hours,dependingontheproduct,formulation,anduser’samountofphysicalactivity.Notallrepellentsaresafeforuseonskin,andconcen-tratedrepellentsshouldnotbeusedonsmallchildren.Somerepellentscandissolveorstainwatchcrystals,eyeglasses,andpaintedorvarnishedsurfaces,includingfishingrodsandcars.Evencoverageisimportant.Mosquitonetting(23to26meshesperinch)maycomeinhandyforovernighttrips.

Thewoundofamosquitobiteisminor.Theintenseitchingandswellingisanallergicresponsetothemosquito’ssalivarysecretions.Varioustreatmentssuchasrubbingalcoholormildammoniawillhelprelieveitching.

Althoughmosquitoestransmitmanyseriousdiseasesthroughouttheworld,thereareonlytwomosquito-bornediseasesseenregularlyinWisconsin:LaCrosseencephalitisandWestNilevirus.LaCrosseencephalitisisavirusthatcancausecomplicationsinchildrenunder12yearsold.WestNilevirusaffectsbirds,horses,andpeopleandismostoftenalatesummerandfallproblem.Mostpeopledonotbecomeillfromtheseviruses,andthebestwaytopreventproblemsistoreducemosquitobitesbyavoidinginfestedareas,wearingprotectiveclothing,andusinginsectrepellent.

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Deerflies and horsefliesDeerfliesandhorsefliesarelarge,robust,somewhathairybitingfliesthatareupto1½incheslong.Manyspecieshavebrightgreenorpurpleeyes;deerflieshavedarkbandsontheirwings.Thesefliesfeedduringthedayandaremostabundantinlow,moist,woodedareasfromlateMayuntilSeptember.Theybreedinthemudofponds,swamps,andditches.Adultfemalefliesareverystrongfliers,andtheirbiteispainfulbecausetheymakeadeepwoundastheycontinuallystabtheskinwithknife-likemouthparts.

Deerfliesandhorsefliesaremostactiveonwarm,sunnydays.Toprotectyourself,reduceexposedskinbycoveringupwithalight,long-sleevedshirtandwearingahatorcap.Applyingtickormosquitorepel-lentstoexposedskillwillprovideaddedprotection.

BlackfliesBlackfliesaresmall,weak-flying,grayorblackhumpbackedgnats,aboutthesizeoffruitflies.Theseday-bitingfliesbreedinmovingwaterinrivers,streams,andcreeks.“Buffalognats,”astheyaresometimescalled,bitepainlesslyonanyexposedpartofthebodybutoftenprefertheforehead,hairline,orwhereverclothingfitssnugly,suchasatcollars,cuffs,andsocklines.Theyarepersistentandmaycrawlintoyourears,nostrils,orhair.

Ablackflybiteappearsasasmall,red,centralspotsurroundedbyanareathatisredandswollen.Becauseblackfliesuseenzymesthatpreventbloodfromclotting,asmalltrickleofdriedbloodmayremainatthewound.Thebitesiteoftenremainsirritatedforseveraldays,andsomepeopledevelopswollenglandsaroundtheearsandneck.

Wearingahatwillputastoptoscalpbites.Repellentspreventbitingbutwillnotstopblackfliesfromflyingaroundyourhead.Canoeistsandpeoplefishinginprimeblackflyhabitatmayhavetotapetheircuffsshutanduseheadnetstoremaincomfortable.

Thenumbersofmostblackflyspeciespeakovera2-to3-weekperiodeachyear.Stayinginareaswithgoodairmovementandawayfromstreambankswillreduceattacks.

Horsefly

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Biting midgesThereisagroupoftinybitingmidgesknownlocallyaspunkies,sand-flies,andno-see-ums.Theburningandirritationtheirbitescauseisfargreaterthantheirsizewouldsuggest.Theirweakflyingabilityusuallylimitsandlocalizesproblemareas.Repellentswillhelpprotectyoufromtheirbites,aswillmosquitonettingfortentsandsleepingbags.

TicksWhatisaMaywalkinthewoodswithoutticks?Ticksareeight-leggedblood-feedingrelativesofmites.Theirthick,leatheryskinandslowmovementsallowthemto“lieinwait”formonthsontheundersidesofleavesorontwigs.Tickhabitatincludeslonggrassorbrushyareasneargametrails,hikingpaths,andsiteswithlargesmall-rodentpopula-tions.Bothmaleandfemaleticksgrabontopantsorsocksandstartsearchingforaplacetofeed.Oftenthefirstskintheyencounteristheneckarea,givingpeopletheimpres-sionthatticksdropfromabove.

Tickfeedingismuchmorecompli-catedthanaquickbite.Ticksattachpainlesslybymeansofabarbedhypostome(seefigure)andwillremainattachedfordaysifleftundis-turbed.Only2oftheapproximately15tickspeciesinWisconsinnormallybitehumans.

Toremoveanattachedtick,graspitwithtweezersasclosetotheheadaspossibleandpullgentlyandsteadily.Takecarenottobreakthemouth-parts.Ifleftbehind,theycancauseinfection.Theuseofhomeremediessuchaspetroleumjelly,lighterfluid,hotmatches,andnailpolishremoverdonothelpremovalandcancauseothercomplications.

Preventingtickproblemsstartswithwearinglong-sleevedshirtsandpants.Tuckpantlegsinsidesocksorbootstocutdownonexposedskin.RepellentscontainingDEETorinsecticides/repellentscontainingpermethrincanbesprayedonsocks,pants,andshoes.

AMERICAN DOG TICKSWhatmostpeoplecallthe“woodtick”istheAmericandogtick,Dermacentor vari-abilis.Theyarereddishbrownwithsilverorwhitemarkingsandrangeupto¼inchinlength.AmericandogtickactivitystartsinearlyMayandslowsdowninearlyJuly.Immatureticksfeedprimarilyonrodents,andanormallifecycletakes2years.

hypostome palp

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AmericandogtickstransmitRockyMountainspottedfeverinotherpartsoftheUnitedStates,butthisdiseaserarelyappearsinWisconsin.

DEER TICKS Thedeertick,Ixodes scapularis,issmallerthantheAmeri-candogtickandlacksthesilverorwhitemarkingsonitsback.Adultsandimmaturedeerticksfeedonhumansandpets.Deerticksseemtobemostcommoninwoodedareaswithalushunderstoryofbramblesandothershrubbymaterial,andtheirseasonextendsfromearlyAprilthroughNovember.

DeerticksaretheonlyknowncarrierofLymediseaseinWisconsin.Itisimportanttorememberthatittakesthetickanumberofhoursoffeeding(24ormore)totransmitLymedisease.Thismeansthatpromptlyremovingthedeertickwillpreventyoufromcontractingthedisease.Routinetotal-bodytickchecksshouldbecomeadailyritual.

Ifyouexperienceflu-likesymptomsoraspreadingrashappearsaroundatickbitesitewithin2weeks,contactyourfamilyphysician.Prompttreat-mentwithantibioticshasbeenverysuccessfulintreatingLymedisease.

ChiggersChiggersaretiny,red,parasiticmitesthatarescarcelyvisible.Theyliveondeer,mice,andbirds.Onhumans,chiggerbitescauseintenseitchingandsmall,reddishweltsontheskin.Theymostoftenappearwhereclothingfitstightlyagainstthebody,suchastheankle,waist,upperarm,orbehindtheknee.Weltslastfor3to10daysandoftenbecomeinfectedafterbeingscratched.Humansarenotasuitablehost,andoftenthemiteleavesordiesbeforeaskinreactionisevident.

Chiggersaremostnumerousinbrushysitesorlonggrassthathaslargerodentpopulations.Ifyouhavebeenexposedtochiggers,takeahot,soapybathorshowerassoonaspossible.Avigorousrubdownwithatowelwillremoveandkillunattachedlarvae.Washallcloth-ingbeforewearingitagain.Variousantisepticsorlocalanestheticproductscanbefoundatdrugstoresfortemporaryreliefoftheitching.Topreventchiggerbites,usemosquitorepellents,especiallyalongcuffs,waistbands,collars,andankles.Avoidsittingorrecliningonthegroundininfestedsites.

Plants

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Wisconsinishometoover3,000plantspecies.Someoftheseplantshaveundesir-

abletraitsthatcausethemtobelabeledasunwantedplants,orweeds.Mostoftheseweedscompetewithcropandlandscapeplantsorarevisuallyunattractiveinplaceswhereaestheticsareimportant.However,someWisconsinweedsgobeyondsimplybeingbothersomeandhavetraitsthatareactuallytroublesometopeople.Thesetraitsincludebeingtoxic(tobothanimalsandpeople),causingskinirritationandblistering,producingpollenthatcauseshayfever,andhavingthornsorspinesthatattachtoclothingandhair.

Peopleandanimalscangenerallyavoidthehazardsimposedbytheseweedssimplybystayingawayfromtheplants.However,toavoidcontactwithpoisonousplants,youmustfirstbeabletorecognizethem.Therearemanyexcellentpublicationsavail-abletohelpyouidentifyandcontrolplants,usuallyfoundinthegarden-ingornaturesectionsofbookstoresandlibraries.Consulttheserefer-encesformoredetailedinformationonhazardousplants.

Plants that are poisonous when ingestedOnlyeatplantsthathavebeeniden-tifiedasnontoxic.Ifsomeoneingestsaplantthatistoxic,calltheWis-consinPoisonCenterimmediately(1-800-222-1222)andfollowthecen-ter’sinstructions.Formoreinforma-tiononingestedplantpoisons,visittheWisconsinPoisonCenterwebsite:www.wisconsinpoison.org.

Poison hemlock

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Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Socrateswasputtodeathbydrinkingpoisonhemlock—a“cupofdeath.”Allpartsofthisplant(amemberoftheparsleyfamily)containthetoxicalkaloidconiine.Socrates’lastdrinkwasmadefromunripehemlockseeds.

Poisonhemlockhasseveralcommonnames,includingdeadlyhemlock,poisonparsley,poisonstinkweed,andsnakeweed.Theplantgrowsinmoistsites,suchasalongstreamsandinwetditches.

Likeotherbiennialplants,poisonhemlockproducesarosetteofleavesandafleshy,parsnip-likerootthefirstyear.Initssecondyear,itgrowstoaheightof7to10feet,flowers,producesseed,anddies.Theremaybefourorfiveleavesonastem,withfinelydivided,toothedmargins.Theleavesarearrangedinanalternatepatternalongthestem.

Theflowersarewhiteandlooksimilartothoseofwildcarrot.Anindividualflowermaybenowiderthan1/10inch.Seedsarefoundinpairsandarepalebrown,ribbed,andhighlypoisonous.Akeycharacteris-ticinidentifyingpoisonhemlockisthepresenceofpurplishblotchesonthestem,whichisalsohollowandbranchesmanytimes.

Allpartsofthisplantarepoisonouswheneaten.

Spotted water hemlock (Cicuta maculata)

Spottedwaterhemlockbelongstotheparsleyfamilyandisalsoreferredtoasbeaverpoison,children’sbane,muskratweed,musquashroot,spottedcowbane,andspottedhemlock.Itgrowsinswampsandlowlands,ofteninornearshallowwater.

Spottedwaterhemlockisaperen-nialplantthatreproducesbyseedandtuberousroots.Thestemsare3to5feettallandarestreakedwithpurplishspots.Branchingoccursonlytowardthetopoftheplant,andleafletsarelinearwithsaw-toothedmargins.Individualflowersaresmallandwhiteandarearrangedinclusters.

Allpartsoftheplantarepoisonouswheneaten,especiallytheroots.Bothrootsandseedshaveadistinc-tiveparsnip-likeodor.

Spotted water hemlock

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Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

BittersweetnightshadeisalsoknownasEuropeanbittersweet,bluenightshade,climbingnightshade,woodynightshade,poisonberry,andscarletberry.Itgrowsinmoistsoilsandontreesinwoodsandorchards.Italsoclimbsonshrubs,fences,andbuildings.

Bittersweetnightshadeisaslender,woodyvine.Theplanthassimpleleaveswithoneortwolobes.Itpro-ducespurpleflowers,andthefruitisasoft,roundberrythatisgreenwhenimmatureandbrightredwhenmature.

Amemberofthenightshadefamily,bittersweetnightshade’sleavesandberriescontainsolanine,analkaloidthatistoxicwheningested.

Black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum)

Deadlynightshade,gardennight-shade,andpoisonberryareothercommonnamesforblacknight-shade,amemberofthenightshadefamily.Theplantgrowsingardens,fields,andwasteareas.

Blacknightshadeisanannualplantthatcomesupfromseedinspringorearlysummeranddiesinfallafterthekillingfrosts.Ithassimplealternateleaves,whiteflowers,andberriesthataregreenwhenimma-tureandblackwhenmature.

Thefruitscontainatoxicalkaloid,solanine,whichmakesthemmildlytoxicwheningested.

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Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)

Jimsonweed,anothermemberofthenightshadefamily,isanannualplantthatreproducesbyseed.OthernamesforitincludeJamestownweed,madapple,thornapple,andstinkwort.Jimsonweedgrowsinsunnylocationsandisoftenfoundinfeedlots,hogyards,andbarnyards.ItiscommoninthesouthernthirdofWisconsin.

Theplantgrowstoaheightof2to4feet,andthestembranchestowardthetop.Itslarge,coarseleavesalternatealongthestemandbranches,andtheyhaveadistinctive,unpleasantodor.Thefunnel-shapedflowersofjimsonweedarelarge(2to5incheslong)andaretintedwhitetopink.Theplant’segg-shapedseedpodcontainsmanyseedsandiscoveredwithshort,stiffspines.Itmeasuresabout1inchindiameter.

Boththefoliageandseedsofjim-sonweedarepoisonous,astheplantcontainsanalkaloidthatisastomachpoison.Somepeopledeveloparashfromtouchingtheleaves.

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Plants that are poisonous on contactWhilesomeplantsarepoisonouswheningested,othersaredangerouswhensimplytouched.Ifyou’reenter-ingareaswhereplantsthatpoisononcontactarepresent,wearpantsandalong-sleevedshirttoprotectyourskin.Ifyouexperienceskinirritation,washtheaffectedareawithsoapandwaterassoonaspossible.

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii)

Poisonivy,amemberofthecashewfamily,growsaseitheralow,woodyshruboraclimbingvine.Itisalsocalledpoisoncreeperorthree-leafedivy.Poisonivyisfoundinpastures,roadbanks,fencerows,parks,beaches,campgrounds,anddampforests,

especiallyalongrivers.Theshrubvarietygrowsoutintheopen,whilethevineclimbstreesandfences.

Theleavesofpoisonivyaredividedintothreeleaflets,soheedtheoldadage,“Leafletsthree,letitbe.”Thelateraltwoleafletsarefasteneddirectlytotheleafstem,orpetiole,whiletheterminalleafletisborneonashortleafstalk.Thethreeleavesmayvaryinsize,shape,andappear-ance:Theedgesmayhaveasmoothmarginorbetoothedorlobed.Theleavesmaybesmoothorslightlyhairyandappearglossyordull.Theymayturnyellow,orange,orredbeforetheydropoffinthefall.

Theflowersaregreenishyellowandoccurinclustersalongthestem,frequentlyhiddenbyleaves.Thefruitisayellowish-whiteroundberry,withstripesthatmakeitresembleapeeledorange.Theberriesareabout¼inchindiameter.

Allplantparts—roots,stems,leaves,flowers,andfruits—containoilsthatarepoisonoustoabouthalfthehumanpopulation.Poisonivycausesdermatitisintheformofskinirrita-tionandblisters,followedbyscabs.Symptomsusuallyoccurwithin24hoursofexposure.

Poison ivy

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Poisonivyistoxicallyear,whichmeansthatitsdry,fallenleavesarejustaspoisonousasthegreen,growingplant.Beespeciallycarefulwhenburningpoisonivy.Inhal-ingthesmokecancauseaseverereaction.

Birds,notsensitivetotheplant,eattheberriesandspreadtheseeds.Forhumans,eatingaleaf,oranypartoftheplant,doesnotconferimmunity.Ifexposedtopoisonivy,washtheexposedareawithwaterandregularorspecializedsoap(suchasTecnu)assoonaspossible.Thisisthemosteffectivemethodtopreventarashfromoccurring.

Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)

Poisonsumacisalsocalledpoisonash,poisondogwood,poisonelder,andswampsumac.Theplantgrowsasashruborsmalltreebutneverasavine.Itrangesinheightfrom5to25feet.

Poisonsumacgrowsinwetareas,suchasfloodplains,swamps,andbogs.Itdiffersfromstaghornsumac,thecommonsumacoftenseenonhighwaybanks.Staghornsumachasbrightredberries,whilepoisonsumacproducesgreenish-whiteberriessimilartothoseofpoisonivy.Birdseatanddistributetheseeds.Theplant’sleavesturnorangishredinthefall.

Contactwithpoisonsumaccausesblisterswithin24hours.Aswithpoisonivy,ifexposed,washtheexposedareawithregularorspe-cializedsoapandwaterassoonaspossible.

Poison sumac

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Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Amemberoftheparsnipfamily,wildparsnipisaplantthatreproducesbyseed.Itisalsoknownasbird’snest,hart’seye,andmadnip.Wildparsnipisverycommoninroadsideditches,wastelands,andungrazedgrasslands.

Theplantinitiallyproducesarosetteoflargeleavesthatsomewhatresembleceleryleavesandalarge,fleshytaproot.Insubsequentyears,wildparsnipdevelopsastem3to5feettall,producesflowers,gener-atesseed,anddies.Leaveshavetoothedmarginsandalternatealongtheelongatedstem.Flowersarearrangedinroundedclusterscalledumbels.Eachflowerhasfivesmall,yellowpetals.

Everyoneissensitivetowildparsnip,butyoucanbrushagainstwildparsnipplantsandnotbeaffected.Parsnipisonlydangerouswhentheplantsapfrombrokenleavesorstemsgetsonyourskin.

Incasesofmildexposure,affectedareasturnredandfeelsunburned.Inmoreseriouscases,theskinfirstturnsredandthenblisters.Thesapofwildparsnipcancausesevereskinblistersincertainpeopleifskinisexposedtosunlightwhenthesapiscontacted.Blistersformadayortwoaftersunexposure,andsoonaftertheblistersrupture,theskinstartstoheal.However,darkredorbrownishscarscanremainintheburnedareasformonthstoyears.Animalscanalsogetparsnipburnsiftheyhavelittlehairandlightlypigmentedskin—characteristicsthatallowthesapandsunlighttoreachtheskin.

Ifexposedtowildparsnipsap,washthecontaminatedareasthoroughlyassoonaspossible.Theburningsensationcanberelievedbycover-ingaffectedareaswithacool,wetcloth.Ifyouexperienceblistering,trytodelaytherupturingoftheblistersaslongaspossible,asblistersprotecttheskin.Incasesofextensiveblister-ing,consultadoctor.

Toavoidexposure,weargloves,longpants,andlong-sleevedshirts.Plan-ningwildparsnipcontrolactivitiesfortheearlyeveningwillminimizesunlightandthusminimizethelikeli-hoodofblistering.

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Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Stingingnettleisalsocalledslendernettleortallnettle,anditbelongstothenettlefamily.Itgrowsinfullsunindamp,fertilesoilandisfrequentlyfoundalongcanalsinmucksoils,aroundbarnyards,andinfencerowsthroughoutWisconsin.

Stingingnettleisaperennialplantthatreproducesbyseedandundergroundrootstocks.Theplantgrows2to7feettallandisslightlybranchednearthetop.Itsstemsarestiff,rigid,andcoveredwithstinginghairs.Leavesopposeeachotheronthesquarestemandareverydarkgreen.Theyaretypically3to6incheslongwithsaw-toothedmarginsandarecoveredwithstinginghairs.Theflowerslackpetalsandgrowinclustersintheleafaxils.

Thestinginghairsonthestemsandleavesoftheplantcancausewelts,inflammation,andaburningsensa-tionwhentheycomeincontactwithskin.Thestingingsensationoccursimmediately,asthehairsactassyringesthatinjectseveralchemi-calsintotheskin.Ifpossible,trytoremovethehairswiththeuseoftapeortweezers.Coolingcreams,lotions,andanti-itchcreamsreducemostofthesymptomssoonafterapplication.

Plants that cause hay feverRagweedpolleniscarriedmanymilesbythewind,soitisdifficulttoavoidallexposure.However,youcansignificantlylimityourexposuretopollenbyavoidingragweedplantswhentheyproducepolleninAugustandSeptember.

Stinging nettle

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Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

Commonragweedisamemberofthecompositefamily,anditspollenisamajorcauseofhayfever.Itisalsocalledbitterweed,blackweed,hay-feverweed,hogweed,mayweed,andwildtansy.Itgrowsinpasturesandgrainfields,andalongroads.

Commonragweedisanannualplantthatrangesinheightfrom1to3feet.Itgrowsuprightandhasmanybranches.Thestemsareroughandcoveredwithhairs,andtheleavesaredeeplycut,orlobed.Theplanthasseparatemaleandfemaleflowers,alllackingpetals.Theseedisenclosedinacrown-shapedwoodyhull.

Thisplantproducesabundantpollen,whichisshedfromearlyAugustuntilthefirstkillingfrost—aboutthesametimethatgoldenrodbeginstoflower.

Giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)

Giantragweed,alsoamemberofthecompositefamily,isanannualplantthatreproducesonlybyseed.Itisalsocalledgreatragweed,bitter-weed,crownweed,horseweed,king-head,andtallambrosia.Thisplantisaweedoffloodplainsandfertilefarmland,anditfrequentlygrowsalongtheedgesofcornfields.

Giantragweedrangesinheightfrom3to16feet.Theleaveshavethreetofivelobesandtendtobelargeandslightlyhairy,andtheflowershavenopetals.

GiantragweedproducespollenfromAugustuntilfrostkillstheplants.Likecommonragweedpollen,giantragweedpollenisamajorcauseofsummerhayfever.

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Thorny, barbed plantsPlantswiththornybarbsareoftenmoreofanuisancethanadanger—theysticktohair,clothing,andfurandcanbedifficulttoremovecom-pletely.However,seedlingsofsomeoftheseplantscanbepoisonoustolivestock,andburscaninjureanimals’mouths.

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Bullthistle,alsocalledspearthistle,isabiennialplantthatreproducesfromseed.Bullthistlesgrowinundis-turbedsoilsuchaspastures,road-sides,andrailroadembankments,andarecommoninlawns.TheyarefoundthroughoutWisconsin.

UnlikeCanadathistle,whichformsdensepatchesofplants,bullthistlesgrowassolitaryplants.Inthefirstyearifits2-yearlifecycle,bullthistleseedgerminatesandproducesarosetteofspinyleavesandafleshytaproot.Inthesecondyear,theplantsproutsa2-to4-footbranchedstem,flowers,producesseed,anddies.

Bullthistlesproducereddish-purple-torose-coloredflowersingumdrop-shapedheadsatthetipsofthebranches.Spinybractssurroundtheflowers.Bullthistleseedsareattachedtoapappus,orparachute,whichallowsthewindtodispersetheseeds.

Bull thistle

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Beggarticks (Bidens frondosa)

Amemberofthecompositefamily,beggarticksisalsocalledburmari-gold,devil’sbootjack,pitchforkweed,andsticktights.Theplantgrowsinmoistsoilsuchaswetmeadowsandalongstreams.ItgrowsthroughoutWisconsin,especiallyinmucksoils.

Beggarticksisanannualplantthatreproducesbyseedandgrowstoaheightof2to5feet.Branchingoccursonlynearthetopoftheplant.Leavesofbeggarticksgrowoppositeeachotherandaredeeplydividedinafeatherlikeformation.Flowerheadsareabout1inchindiameter.Theoutsideflowers,orrayflowers,arebrightyellow,whiletheinsideflowers,ordiskflowers,arebrownishyellow.Theseedsareflatandbrownandareequippedwithtwobarbedfishhook-typespinesthatattachthemselvestoclothing,hair,andfur.

Theseplantsareaparticularnuisancetohuntersandhuntingdogs.

Burdock (Arctium minus)

Burdockisabiennialplantthatreproducesbyseedinwasteareas,aroundbuildings,andatotherundisturbedsites.Amemberofthecompositefamily,burdockisalsocalledclotbur,cocklebutton,andcuckoobutton.

Inthefirstyearofitslifecycle,theplantproducesafleshytaprootandarosetteoflargeleavesthatlooksomewhatlikerhubarb.Thenextyear,theplantgrowsa3-to6-foothairy,groovedstem,producesflowersandseed,anddies.Thelargeleavesareheartshapedandarearrangedalternatelyonthestem.Theflowersaresmall,reddishvioletincolor,andsurroundedbyhookedbractsintheformofabur.

Theburs,whichareabout½inchindiameter,hookintoclothing,hair,andfur.

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Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)

Cocklebur,alsoknownasspinyclotbur,clotweed,daggercocklebur,andSpanishthistle,isanannualplantthatreproducesbyseed.Itgrowsinfields,abandonedlands,pastures,androadsides,andcanbefoundthroughoutWisconsin.

Cockleburhasalarge,woodytaprootandastemthatreachesaheightof2to4feet.Stemsarerough,hairy,andcoveredwithreddishspots.Theleaves,whicharearrangedalter-natelyalongthestem,aresimpleandtriangularandhavelongpetioles.Theflowersareenclosedinaspinyburcoveredwithhookedspinesandtwoprominentandcurvedspines,orbeaks.

Thehard,pricklyburattachestoclothing,hair,andfurandispar-ticularlyanuisancetohuntersandhuntingdogs.However,therealdangercockleburposesisthattheseedlingsarepoisonoustocattle.

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Sandbur (Cenchrus longispinus)

Sandburisanannualwarm-seasongrassthatproducesseedsinspinyburs.Othercommonnamesofthesandburincludebeargrass,burgrass,hedgehoggrass,andsandburgrass.Sandbursareassociatedwithsandysoilsanddroughtconditions.Theyarefoundinpastures,fields,orchards,andcropland.

Sandbursgerminateafterthedangerofspringfrostpasses.Theplantsgrowfrom6inchesto2feettall,andtheyflowerinsummer,producingaspinybur.Thespinesontheburshavecurvedbarbsthatworkintothefleshofhumansandanimalsiftheyarenotremoved.Stemsoftenlodge,orgrowparalleltothesoilsurface,bylatesummer,forminglargematsofsandbur.

Thebursofthisplantsticktofurandclothingandinjurethemouthsofanimalsthathavethemisfortunetograzeonthem.

ResourcesCenterforWildlifeInformation

www.BeBearAware.org

Living with Bears in WisconsinWisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResourcesdnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/bear/

Living with Wolves: Tips for Avoiding ConflictsInternationalWolfCenterwww.wolf.org

Photo credits: Frog(p.3),mudpuppy(p.4),pages5,6—WisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources’BureauofEndangeredResources;pages16,20—PhilPellitteri;pages25,30,31,32,33,34—UW–MadisonWeedIdentification&Managementwebsite(weedid.wisc.edu);allotherphotos—iStockphoto.com.

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Authors:ScottCravenisprofessorofforestandwildlifeecology,PhilPellitteriisdistinguishedoutreachspecialistinentomology,andMarkRenzisassistantprofessorofagronomyandExtensionweedspecialist.AllholdjointappointmentswiththeCollegeofAgriculturalandLifeSciences,UniversityofWisconsin-MadisonandtheUniversityofWisconsin-Extension,CooperativeExtension.

Illustrations: RenéeGraef.

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Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin: A Guide to Insects, Plants, and Wildlife (G3564) R-09-2010

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