Leeches are annelids comprising the subclass Hirudinea. There are freshwater, terrestrial and marine leeches.All leech species are carnivorous. Some are predatory, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as worms, snails, insect larvae, crustaceans, while a very few are haemophagic parasitic blood-sucking leeches.Haemophagic leeches attach to their hosts and remain there until they become full, at which point they fall off to digest.

There is not much that can be done to prevent leech bites in the outdoors. There is little evidence in favour of any leech-repellant. The most effective step is not to expose bare skin, preferably by wearing leech socks.Leech socks are calico oversocks worn outside the trousers which provide a degree of protection, since they prevent leech entry at ankle level.

 

if not exposing bare skin is effective solution, it didnt work for me. one leech found my wrist to b a good eatery, another found its way to my midriff and yet another was found at a place which is,ahem, least exposed.

 

leeches are uncanny at releasing local anesthetics and anti coagulants which mean they can feast on my body to there hearts' delight. no entry charge, no cover charge, no problem of stag entry.

 

if u go to bed while bleeding of leechbite, the white bedsheet gets mosaic with blood which may lead to wrong conclusions drawn in the morning.