What are leeches afraid of? Salt and lime are commonly used control methods

The leech is commonly known as the bloodworm, often found in rice paddies, ponds, ditches and damp grass, and lives by sucking the blood of humans and livestock. Its body must stay moist to function normally, so it is naturally afraid of dryness and blazing sun, and it becomes weak and feeble after being away from a wet environment for a long time.

Salt is one of the things leeches fear most. After salt grains are sprinkled on a leech, the osmotic pressure inside and outside its body becomes unbalanced, a large amount of body fluid leaks out, and it soon shrivels from dehydration and may even die. Alkaline substances such as lime and plant ash likewise irritate and burn its skin, so spreading lime in rice paddies not only adjusts soil acidity and alkalinity but also reduces leeches along the way.

In nature, ducks, fish, frogs and birds all prey on leeches, and raising ducks in rice paddies and polyculturing fish are considered relatively ecological control methods. Good water management in the fields and timely removal of weeds along the field edges can also reduce hiding places for leeches.

When working in the fields, wear tightly wrapped rubber boots and water pants and fasten the cuffs tightly; smearing salt water or repellent on the shoe uppers and cuffs has a certain effect. If you are bitten by a leech, do not pull hard, lest the mouthparts break off in the skin; sprinkle a little salt or gently tap the surrounding skin to let it drop off on its own, then rinse with clean water and disinfect the wound.