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Dangerous Critters of Florida

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Dangerous Critters of Florida ARACHNIDS SPIDERS INSECTS CENTIPEDES FLORIDA BLUE CENTIPEDE WIDOWS Black Widow HONEY BEES (European and Africanized) Scolopendra viridis Latrodectus species Apis mellifera • Centipede bites are not life-threatening. • Bites from Black Widows are • Multiple stings may be life-threatening and may require • Symptoms are immediate: pain, swelling at bite site potentially life-threatening. medical attention. European and African Adults may grow to (similar to a bee sting). bees look the same. 6 inches in length. Call 911. • Sting symptoms (local) are immediate: pain, swelling, • Centipedes have claws adapted as fangs to grasp • Symptoms appear 1-2 hours redness. and bite. after a bite, to include: sweating Leg span is about • Will nest in almost any cavity or sheltered space. • Nocturnal and prefer damp, dark hiding places. at bite site; chills; rigid abdomen; one inch. nausea; vomiting; and painful ADDITIONAL “BEE SAFE” INFORMATION BLISTER BEETLES muscle cramps. • Individual bees sting only once, then die. Family Meloidae, numerous species • Nocturnal and non-aggressive, • Africanized Honey Bees (AHBs) are commonly found but may bite if it feels in Florida. • Superficial exposure to blister beetle juice is not life- threatened. • AHBs aggressively defend their hives. threatening. • Make their homes in warm, • If you see a nest or swarm of bees, STAY AWAY. Hives will be defended! Blister beetles are • Ingestion of significant amounts of juice, or beetles, often brightly colored. dry, and sheltered places. Brown Widow • Call a bee removal service. is highly toxic to mammals. • If you are attacked, protect your face and RUN to shelter. • Symptoms of topical exposure are blistering of skin • Do not try to hide in water. and local discomfort. • Do not take the threat of these bees lightly! • May be seen feeding on the floral parts of crops and garden vegetables. WASPS Numerous families and species FIRE ANTS Solenopsis invicta Red Widow • Not usually life-threatening, but multiple stings may require medical attention. • Symptoms are immediate: burning pain, swelling, There are many families About ¼ inch long BROWN RECLUSE • Individual wasps may sting multiple times. and species of wasps. itching. Loxosceles reclusa • Sting symptoms are immediate: pain, swelling, redness. • Pustules appear in about 24 hours and may persist • Usually nest in sheltered areas; nests vary in appearance up to10 days. • Bites are not usually life- and structure. • Secondary infection is common. threatening, but may require • Very aggressive when disturbed. medical care. HORNETS • Prefer dryer ground, but may be found in any habitat. • Bites may go undetected at Brown Recluse Vespula, Dolichovespula species first. FIRST AID FOR INSECT STINGS AND BITES • Symptoms appear 8-12 hours after bite, to include: • Not usually life-threatening, but multiple stings may pain, redness at bite site; and may progress to an require medical attention. • Always be aware of rare, but serious, allergic reactions! Paper wasp’s nest open wound. • Individual hornets may sting multiple times. • If a stinger is left behind, do not pull out; remove by • Prefer dry, dark, and quiet hiding places. • Sting symptoms (local) are immediate: pain, swelling, scraping with a dull edge (such as a credit card). redness. • Wash area with soap and water. • Nest in trees, under shelter, and underground. • Apply ice to alleviate pain and swelling. • Call the Poison Information Center for assistance. • Call 911 if symptoms continue to worsen, or Range of recluse spiders in the if patient develops swelling; redness; hives or United States For multiple stings and symptoms including difficulty itching away from sting/bite; difficulty breathing; breathing, nausea, vomiting, chills and weakness, call weakness; tingling; infected or open sores; or 911. lasting nausea. spiders.ucr.edu Hornets are also known as “Yellowjackets.” Brown Recluse are not native to South Florida. CATERPILLARS AVOIDING DANGEROUS CRITTERS Caterpillars are the larval stages of butterflies and moths. • Be cautious when outdoors: wear gloves and closed-toe shoes when gardening or working in PUSS CATERPILLAR IO MOTH CATERPILLAR SADDLEBACK CATERPILLAR the yard. Megalopyge opercularis Automeris io Aracharia stimulea • Be aware of your surroundings, especially when Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department outdoors. It’s no fun to stand on an ant nest! • Do not put your hands or feet in places that may Venom Response Bureau be hideaways for dangerous critters. • Check your shoes before putting them on… dangerous critters may have hidden in them! • Look and listen for persistent buzzing sounds Up to an inch in length, One to two inches One to two inches around your home and yard; there may be honey also called Asp caterpillars in length in length bees nesting. If you hear them: stay away, do not disturb, and call professional pest control to CATERPILLAR STINGS FIRST AID FOR CATERPILLAR STINGS remove them. • Respect all creatures – even tiny ones can • Stings generally are not life-threatening, but pain • Apply tape to sting area and gently pull off to remove cause injury! may necessitate medical care. any remaining spines. • Symptoms are immediate: intense burning pain; • Wash area with soap and water. “Dangerous Critters in Your Backyard” localized welting of skin; headache; abdominal • Apply ice to alleviate pain and swelling. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue offers this program intended distress; rashes; blisters; and sometimes numbness, • Call the Poison Information Center for assistance. for students and aimed at prevention, safety, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. • Call 911 if symptoms continue to worsen, or if patient and first aid for bites and stings from dangerous • Stinging is accidental when caterpillar is dislodged develops swelling; redness; hives or itching away from critters. A presentation may be scheduled by calling from foliage. sting; difficulty breathing; weakness; tingling; infected 786-331-5000, extension 4444, or by e-mailing Dangerous • Found on many host plants including palms, roses, or open sores; or lasting nausea. [email protected]. oaks and citrus. Emergency Contacts: Critters ARTHROPOD AMPHIBIAN Call 911 Florida Poison Information Center of Florida SCORPION BUFO TOAD Network: 800-222-1222 Bufu Marinus Herminio Lorenzo, Fire Chief FLORIDA BARK SCORPION Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department Centruroides gracilis • Toxin is a milky fluid secreted by 9300 NW 41 Street, Miami, FL 33178 the large parotid glands at base 786-331-5000 • Stings are normally not life- of toad’s head. www.miamidade.gov/mdfr threatening. • Eggs and tadpoles also are • Symptoms appear immediately, poisonous. Produced by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department Media and Public Relations Bureau and to include: pain and swelling Adults are 2-3 inches • Toxins may be transferred by May grow to 9 inches at sting site (similar to a wasp long. handling or ingesting a toad or long and weigh Venom Response Bureau sting). secretions. 2 pounds. Non-emergency: 786-331-4454 • Nocturnal and prefer warm, dark, and secluded • Wash with soap and water if Fax: 786-331-4451 hiding places. contact occurs. e-mail: [email protected] • Call the Poison Information Center for assistance. • Bufo toads usually live near water and are most active website: www.venom1.com • Refer to First Aid for Insect Stings and Bites. at night. Miami-Dade County provides equal access and equal opportunity in • Pets are the most frequent victims. If a pet is poisoned, employment and services and does not discriminate on the basis of contact a veterinary clinic immediately. disability. • Call the Poison Information Center for assistance. • Call 911 if patient develops severe irritation and pain to eyes, nose and throat; nausea; vomiting; seizures; or difficulty breathing..
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