Yesterday, Jim and Jeremy came across the very large leech pictured above at Lake Lanier. We were reminded of calls we’ve received in the past: “Do lake leeches exist?” an anxious caller asked. “Are they dangerous? And can you get rid of them?” Our replies: Yes, no, and no need. Freshwater leeches do indeed inhabit our local lakes and ponds; (usually) small and worm-like in appearance, they favor shallow waters, hiding among aquatic plants and debris, and are most active on hot summer days. Leeches in our region do not transmit any human diseases, and don’t suck enough blood to cause any harm to us. There’s no chemical treatment available to control leeches without harming your fish and other aquatic fauna, and most importantly, there’s no need to even try — leeches are a minor nuisance, not a health threat. In the event that you do find a leech on your skin after swimming or wading, don’t rip it off, as the mouthparts of the leech can get left in the skin and cause infection. Salt or heat (a hair dryer pointed at the leech works nicely) will make the leech let go; clean and bandage the bite as you would any other cut. Minor irritation at the bite site is normal, but consult a doctor if the wound appears to become infected.
