Buzz
I haven't encountered many people who are fond of slimy, creepy, or crawly creatures. Some of the revolting organisms that nature offers our world fall into the category of parasites. We despise them, but they certainly thrive on us! A shout-out to scientists and those dedicated to studying these fascinating organisms. This list is dedicated to all those who dislike 'slimy and creepy crawly' things. It’s in no particular order of disgust, and while it doesn't cover every type or class of parasite, it provides a brief overview.
10. Bedbugs
Many may not realize that bedbugs are more than just a harmless nursery rhyme your parents used to say before bed. These pests are as real as any other on this list. Though not the deadliest or the worst, they still come with their own set of problems.
Bedbugs have seen a rise in numbers recently, and there are various theories explaining why. Some attribute it to the increase in global travel, while others suggest the decline in bedbug-killing insecticides, particularly DDT, and the growing reliance on gel-based insecticides. These gel-based options are ineffective against bedbugs, as they only feed on blood. Effective control and elimination can only be achieved with consistent spraying of the right insecticide, carried out by a professional exterminator.
Bedbugs resemble small ticks and are commonly found in and around mattresses. They primarily feed at night, though they can feed at any time of day. Due to their small size, they can hide in places like mattress seams, headboards, baseboards, screw holes, cracks in walls, carpets, and even bedroom clutter. Bedbugs are capable of traveling up to 100 feet to find a host to feed on.
The bites they leave are often mistaken for those of mosquitoes or spiders, as the irritation and redness are quite similar. While there is no scientific evidence proving that bedbugs spread diseases, the bite areas can become infected if scratched. Misidentifying the bites can lead to a significant increase in the infestation before it's detected. The most troublesome aspect of bedbug infestations is not physical, but psychological. Once discovered, the host may experience elevated levels of anxiety, paranoia, and fear.
Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to detect, and often a major infestation goes unnoticed until it's too late. Their small size and elusive nature make them hard to spot. Bedbugs are often linked with poor hygiene and filth, but that's a misconception. Even luxurious hotels, high-end apartments, and pristine homes have fallen victim to bedbug infestations. Bedbugs can easily hitch a ride on clothes, luggage, purses, and backpacks, making them hard to avoid. They are flat like ticks and can survive for over a year without feeding.
Another reason bedbugs are such a significant issue, apart from their hard-to-detect nature and ability to survive without feeding for long periods, is their rapid reproduction rate. A female bedbug can lay over 500 eggs in her lifetime. Once hatched, the nymphs begin feeding immediately. They typically feed every few days and undergo five molting stages over five weeks before reaching adulthood and becoming capable of breeding.
9. Lice
The human louse is a widespread issue that affects both adults and children, with children being particularly vulnerable. African Americans are less prone to lice infestations due to the texture of their hair. Other hair types tend to be more conducive to the louse's survival.
Lice come in various types, but the most common is the head louse. There are also body lice and pubic lice. These three species are unique in that they depend solely on humans for blood. While other lice species exist, they primarily target animals.
The lifespan of a louse is relatively short. The eggs hatch in about 6 to 9 days, and the nymph undergoes three molts within 7 days before reaching adulthood. The molted skins and empty egg shells remain attached to the hair near the scalp. Adults move quickly and live for about a month, feeding on blood and continuously laying eggs. A female louse can lay between 7 and 12 eggs daily.
Lice are small but easily noticeable. The affected area typically experiences itching, redness, and sometimes pustules. A fine-toothed comb or louse comb can be used to remove both the lice and their eggs. Over-the-counter and prescription treatments are available to eliminate lice. It is also recommended that everyone in the household be checked, as lice tend to recur.
8. Leeches
A common misconception about leeches is that all species depend entirely on blood from humans and animals. In reality, only some leech species are blood-feeding. Other leeches feed on invertebrates and live on the moist earth floor or even underground, not in water. Leeches are segmented worms, closely related to earthworms.
The blood-sucking, or sanguivorous, leech is typically found in still or slow-moving water but can also inhabit land. They usually attach by waiting on the ground or at the bottom of a body of water. They detect potential hosts by sensing movement or changes in light patterns. When a host is detected, the leech moves its body to 'fish' for the host.
The leech uses the sucker portion of its mouth, while jawed leeches employ their toothed jaws to make an incision in the host. Afterward, the leech secretes a mucus-like substance to stay attached. It then relaxes its body, utilizing anti-coagulants and histamines to prevent blood from clotting or becoming indigestible. This remarkable ability is what makes leeches valuable for medicinal uses.
The wound caused by a leech bite is typically not as severe as expected. It may become irritated, with some blood and fluid oozing for several hours, but blood loss is minimal. Infections are uncommon, and while allergic reactions can occur, they are generally not serious.
7. Ticks
Ticks are arachnids, and there are numerous varieties, both hard and soft. Some of the most well-known types include the black-legged tick, lone star tick, deer tick, and dog tick. Ticks can carry diseases, with the most common being Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.
Ticks are commonly found in areas with thick underbrush, tall weeds, and grass, particularly in places frequented by deer and horses. In these environments, ticks wait for a host to pass by, latch on, and make their way toward a suitable area of the body, often where there is a lot of hair. On humans, this is typically the scalp, but on other mammals, it can be anywhere. This allows ticks to remain largely unnoticed as they feed on the host's blood for weeks.
Ticks have a fascinating life cycle. There are three types of ticks based on their lifecycle: the one-host tick, which lives off one host for its entire life before dropping off to lay eggs; the two-host tick; and the three-host tick, which feeds off two or three different hosts during its lifecycle.
Many people have dealt with ticks and have had to remove one at some point. There are common myths about how to remove ticks, such as using the hot end of a match or applying petroleum jelly to suffocate the tick. These methods are ineffective and unsafe because they may cause the tick to regurgitate into the wound, increasing the risk of disease or infection.
The best way to remove a tick is to use a pair of tweezers and grip it as close as possible to its mouthparts, where its head meets the skin. Gently and steadily pull the tick out, avoiding twisting or jerking. After removal, it is recommended to either flush the tick down the toilet or place it in a container of isopropyl alcohol to kill and preserve it. This allows for proper identification and treatment by a doctor if any illness occurs shortly afterward.
6. Fleas
The flea is yet another prevalent parasite. These creatures breed rapidly and can quickly escalate into a significant problem. Have you heard of the Black Plague? The flea is largely responsible for that infamous event.
Much like mosquitoes, fleas require blood from mammals to reproduce. They deposit their eggs on the host, which often leads to a flea infestation where the host frequents, such as in the pet's resting area. Once the eggs hatch, typically within days or weeks, the larvae begin feeding on organic matter like dead skin and fecal particles. This larval stage lasts anywhere from one to two weeks.
After completing three larval stages, the flea forms a silk-like cocoon and emerges after another one to two weeks. It's then time for the flea to locate a host and begin feeding to foster a new generation. In its brief life, usually only a few weeks, a female flea can lay several hundred eggs, potentially causing a severe infestation very quickly.
Fleas are quite adaptable. Their bodies are flattened from side to side, allowing them to move easily on their host and avoid being crushed. Their remarkable jumping ability is also noteworthy, as they can leap over 100 times their body length. The fleas that typically bite humans are often cat fleas.
5. Mosquitoes
Most of us have probably experienced a mosquito bite at some point. These annoying flying insects are not just bothersome, but also a serious health risk. Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting a wide range of parasites and diseases, including West Nile Virus, malaria, yellow fever, and even parasites that cause elephantiasis. They are responsible for millions of deaths worldwide due to their role in spreading disease from one host to another.
Female mosquitoes are the ones responsible for biting mammals, as they require blood to reproduce. Interestingly, both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar from flowers and fruit. However, only the females need the proteins found in blood to produce eggs.
A female mosquito begins her life by laying eggs on fresh, stagnant water, often in groups of up to fifty. With sufficient blood meals, she can lay these egg clusters every three days throughout her life. It’s important for her to deposit her eggs in still water, which is why eliminating standing water around your property is crucial to reduce the risk of mosquito infestations.
After the eggs are laid, they typically hatch within 48 hours. The larvae remain near the water’s surface for 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the water temperature. After this, they transition into the pupa stage, and within a few days, they mature into adult mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are attracted to a person’s body heat and scent. It's suggested to avoid strong perfumes or colognes, as mosquitoes are drawn to sweet smells. However, this may not completely prevent them from being attracted.
The female mosquito uses a specialized proboscis along with an anti-coagulant in its saliva to extract blood from its host. Often, the host doesn't realize it has been bitten until the itchy bump appears. These bites can be extremely itchy and prone to irritation, so applying an anti-itch cream can help reduce discomfort and prevent infection from scratching.
4. Mites
Mites are incredibly common organisms, with many different types. Some well-known species include dust mites, fowl mites, dog mites, deer mites, chigger mites, and scabies mites. There are even mites living on your skin right now, known as hair follicle mites, which feed on the natural oils produced by your scalp and hair. Don’t worry, these mites are harmless and a natural part of the human experience. Those of us with good hygiene won’t even notice their presence since they’re microscopic. Typically, mites don't pose a threat, but they will feed on human blood if their usual host is unavailable.
Scabies mites are the most troublesome type of mite for humans. These tiny parasites cause intense itching and red sores as they burrow into and live on the skin. Often mistaken for parasitic dermatitis, scabies can be treated effectively with prescription topical ointments.
3. Hookworms
Hookworms are transmitted through feces. The eggs hatch in about a week, developing into larvae that can survive for nearly a month in soil or the feces they originated from. When humans come into contact with the larvae, typically through the feet, the worms travel through the bloodstream, reaching the heart and lungs. From the lungs, they may be coughed up and swallowed, or simply ingested by the host, which sends them straight to the small intestine.
Once the hookworm settles in the intestine, it attaches to the intestinal wall and begins to feed on the host's blood. If not treated, the hookworm can multiply, leading to a severe infestation in the intestines. Symptoms may include anemia, intense abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, and even an unusual craving for non-food items like dirt or mud. The life cycle continues when the host releases more eggs through bowel movements.
Contributor: BrotherMan
2. Tapeworms
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites similar to hookworms. They can be transmitted through soil and fecal matter, but are more often contracted by humans through undercooked meat that has not been properly heated to kill the tapeworm eggs. Once ingested, the tapeworms set up in the host animal’s muscles after it eats contaminated grass or vegetables. The animal is then slaughtered, eventually becoming food for humans.
When a human ingests a tapeworm egg, it hatches during digestion and grows from a larva to an adult, feeding on the blood and nutrients from the intestinal wall. The adult tapeworms, being hermaphrodites, can produce eggs, which are excreted through the stool. These eggs can linger in the toilet or be flushed into sewage systems, eventually contaminating soil and water sources, thereby restarting the cycle.
Identifying tapeworm infections can be challenging, as symptoms may be absent for long periods of time. As a result, tapeworms can grow up to 30 feet in length in segmented sections, potentially causing bloating and malnutrition. If untreated, these parasites can survive for decades within the host.
1. Human Botflies
The term 'botfly' is a general label for any species of fly whose larvae parasitize mammals, including a wide range of animals from horses to deer and even humans.
The human botfly maggot is transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly in Central and South America. The fly captures a mosquito and lays several eggs on its body. Once the mosquito feeds on a human, the eggs fall onto the person, hatch, and the botfly maggot burrows into the host. It remains there for around 5-6 weeks, feeding on the flesh while creating a hole. Afterward, if undetected, the maggot exits the host and falls to the ground to pupate into an adult botfly in about 20 days, completing the cycle.
Detecting a botfly maggot infection is relatively straightforward. As the maggot feeds on the host’s tissue, it enlarges and becomes red and swollen. The hole the maggot has created serves as a breathing passage, and the larva must periodically emerge from the hole to take a breath.
Removing a botfly maggot requires careful handling, and it is best left to medical professionals. Attempting to extract the larva without proper guidance could cause the maggot to rupture, leading to serious infections.
