Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County
Transcript of Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County
![Page 1: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
G3564
Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin
A Guide to Insects, Plants, and Wildlife
Scott R. Craven Phillip J. Pellitteri Mark J. Renz
![Page 2: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
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
![Page 3: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
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.
![Page 4: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
2
Wildlife
![Page 5: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
3
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
![Page 6: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
4
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
![Page 7: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
5
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
![Page 8: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
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
![Page 9: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
7
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
![Page 10: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
8
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
![Page 11: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
9
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.
![Page 12: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
10
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.
![Page 13: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
11
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.
![Page 14: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
12
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
![Page 15: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
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.
![Page 16: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
14
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.
![Page 17: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Insects & other invertebrates
![Page 18: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
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
![Page 19: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
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
![Page 20: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
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.
![Page 21: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
19
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.
![Page 22: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
20
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
![Page 23: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
21
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
![Page 24: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
22
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.
![Page 25: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Plants
![Page 26: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
24
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
![Page 27: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
25
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
![Page 28: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
26
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.
![Page 29: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
27
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.
![Page 30: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
28
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
![Page 31: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
29
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
![Page 32: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
30
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.
![Page 33: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
31
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
![Page 34: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
32
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.
![Page 35: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
33
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
![Page 36: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
34
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.
![Page 37: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
35
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.
![Page 38: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
36
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
![Page 39: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
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.
![Page 40: Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin (G3564) - La Crosse County](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022012011/613d1e93736caf36b7598ae8/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Cooperative Extension
Copyright © 2010bytheBoardofRegentsoftheUniversityofWisconsinSystemdoingbusinessasthedivisionofCooperativeExtensionoftheUniversityofWisconsin-Extension.Allrightsreserved.Sendcopyrightinquiriesto:CooperativeExtensionPublishing,432N.LakeSt.,Rm.227,Madison,WI53706,[email protected].
Authors:ScottCravenisprofessorofforestandwildlifeecology,PhilPellitteriisdistinguishedoutreachspecialistinentomology,andMarkRenzisassistantprofessorofagronomyandExtensionweedspecialist.AllholdjointappointmentswiththeCollegeofAgriculturalandLifeSciences,UniversityofWisconsin-MadisonandtheUniversityofWisconsin-Extension,CooperativeExtension.
Illustrations: RenéeGraef.
University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension,incooperationwiththeU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureandWisconsincounties,publishesthisinformationtofurtherthepurposeoftheMay8andJune30,1914,ActsofCongress.AnEEO/AAemployer,theUniversityofWisconsin-Extension,Cooperative
Extensionprovidesequalopportunitiesinemploymentandprogramming,includingTitleIXandADArequirements.Ifyouneedthisinformationinanalternativeformat,contactEqualOpportunityandDiversityPrograms,UniversityofWisconsin-Extension,432N.LakeSt.,Rm.501,Madison,WI53706,[email protected],phone:(608)262-0277,fax:(608)262-8404,TTY:711WisconsinRelay.
ThispublicationisavailablefromyourcountyUW-Extensionoffice(www.uwex.edu/ces/cty)orfromCooperativeExtensionPublishing.Toorder,calltoll-free:877-WIS-PUBS(877-947-7827)orvisitourwebsite:learningstore.uwex.edu.
Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin: A Guide to Insects, Plants, and Wildlife (G3564) R-09-2010
Cooperative Extension