How to avoid tangling with wild things, and what to do if you get attacked

The Virginian-Pilot

Fire ants The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says to watch for ant mounds in warm, sunny locations such as flower beds, lawns, around trees and shrubs, along sidewalk cracks and against buildings. Don't disturb the mounds. The ants are prone to swarming and biting. If you suspect that you have discovered a fire ant infestation, contact the Agriculture Department at (804) 786-3515. If you're bitten, elevate the affected extremities and apply a cold pack. Clean blisters with soap and water, but do not break them. Use topical steroids or oral antihistamines to relieve itching, and see a doctor if the swelling continues or the bites become infected.

Poisonous spiders Researchers at Virginia Tech and Ohio State University say the brown recluse spider's natural habitat is west and south of Virginia, so confirmed sightings are rare. The black widow, typically with a black body and a red, hourglass-shaped marking, is much more common. Widows and brown recluses, which have a distinctive, violin-shaped marking on their bodies, like dark, undisturbed sites.

Indoors, they tend to hide in attics, basements, crawl spaces, closets and ductwork. They can get into storage boxes, shoes, clothing, folded linens and behind furniture. They also thrive in barns, storage sheds and garages. Outdoors, they can be found underneath logs or loose stones. If you're working in any of those places, wear gloves, long pants tucked into socks and long sleeves.

If you get bitten by a spider you think is a brown recluse or black widow, try to kill and save it so it can be identified. Apply an ice pack and get medical attention immediately.

Snakes Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center researchers say the easiest way to recognize one of the three types of venomous snakes in Southeast Virginia - the cottonmouth, or water moccasin; the copperhead; and the canebreak rattlesnake - is to look at the shape of its eye. Venomous snakes have elliptical pupils like cats; nonvenomous snakes have round pupils. They're not aggressive unless threatened or surprised, so the best way to avoid them is to be careful in brushy, overgrown areas, or near crevices and hiding places around waterways. Watch where you're stepping or putting your hands.

If you're bitten, VCU experts say don't apply ice or a tourniquet, and don't try to cut the wound or suck venom out. Instead, wash the bite with soap and water, keep it at the same level as the heart or slightly elevated, remove tight clothing or jewelry and get medical help.

Bears Black bears are not known for going after people, and they'll mostly get out of your way if they sense you coming. But use caution if you see them. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries lists tips on its Web site (www.dgif.virginia.gov/WILDLIFE/bear) for avoiding bear visits. The most important is removing food sources, such as trash and pet food. If you spot a bear, stay calm and move away, while making noise to let the bear know you're there. Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact that bears may perceive as a threat. Give the bear room to escape. Do not run or make any sudden movements. Speak softly and try not to show fear. If you're attacked, fight back. Bears have been driven away when people fought with rocks, sticks or bare hands.

Sharks Experts say shark attacks, while still relatively rare in Virginia, most often occur in early morning or at sunset, when darkening water may make it harder for sharks to distinguish humans from prey. A shark will often bite and then let go when it determines its victim is not food. Avoid swimming during those times, and never swim alone.

Foxes and raccoons Just like bears, raccoons and foxes can be attracted by trash or food. If you see one of these animals, get away quickly: Raccoons or foxes that venture into places where they'd be close to humans may be sick with rabies. Call animal control for help (all numbers are 757): Chesapeake, 382-8080; Norfolk, 664-7387; Portsmouth, 393-8430; Suffolk, 923-2350; Virginia Beach, 385-4444. And if you think you've been exposed to a rabid animal, call the city health department: Chesapeake, 382-8672; Norfolk, 683-2712; Portsmouth, 393-8585; Suffolk, 686-4900; Virginia Beach, 518-2646.

Alligators Gators are naturally scared of humans, but the smartest move if you see one is to call animal control. Don't feed it, because that could reduce the reptile's natural aversion to humans.

Mosquitoes The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site says most people who are infected with West Nile Virus will never get sick. But for the few, illness can show up anywhere from two to 15 days later. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) and swollen lymph glands. Severe disease, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, includes headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Get medical help right away.

Pilot researcher Jakon Hays contributed to this report.