Peiner Wald: Survival expert warns about ticks, not animals!

Peiner Wald: Survival expert warns about ticks, not animals!

In the forests around Peine, nature is a true oasis that attracts nature lovers with its silence and seclusion. But while many people seek adventure when hiking in the green lungs, experts warn of supposed dangers that often seem exaggerated. The reporters from News38 report on their self-experiment in the Peiner Forest, in which they explored the reality of survival in nature together with survival coach Stefan Winkler. It turned out that the greatest danger lurking in the forests is not wild boars or wolves, but rather ticks, which can transmit dangerous diseases.

Stefan Winkler makes it clear in his report that wild boars are generally considered to be largely harmless. Encounters with these animals are often harmless, and attacks can only be expected if they behave provocatively. The survival coach believes it is important to draw attention to the small but significant dangers, such as ticks, which can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease. In fact, an estimated 200,000 people in Germany fall ill with this disease every year, which is transmitted by the common woodbuck (Ixodes ricinus).

The dreaded ticks

But how does the transmission of Borrelia by ticks actually work? Tick ​​larvae acquire the pathogen by sucking the blood of infected hosts, such as mice or birds. After maturing into nymphs, these ticks are able to transmit Borrelia to humans or animals. What is somewhat worrying is that there is no vaccine for Lyme disease, which makes preventive measures even more important.

An interesting finding also emerged from current research: Extensive grazing of areas, for example by sheep or cattle, could reduce the risk of infection by up to 60 times. Because infected ticks lose their Borrelia while sucking on ruminants, grazing projects have the potential to significantly reduce the spread of disease.

Prevention and protective measures

• Tragen Sie Socken über die Hosen und Gummistiefel, um sich zu schützen.
• Vermeiden Sie schattige, feuchte Plätze, wo Zecken lauern.
• Regelmäßige Kontrollen des Körpers nach Aufenthalten im Freien sind ratsam.
• Fördern Sie Sauberkeit in Parks und Schulen, um Müll und Wildtiere, die Reservoirwirte sind, fernzuhalten.

When it comes to spending time outdoors, evidence surrounding ticks shows that it's important to be vigilant. Urban sprawl increases the risk of tick bites because infected ticks are increasingly found in human settlements. This makes it all the more worthwhile to organize your own outdoor activities with a dose of mindfulness and to protect yourself by taking appropriate measures.

In the forests of Peine, nature is alive with animals, but we should pay due attention to the real risks. With a good knack for preventive measures and a conscious approach to nature, we can continue to enjoy the silence and beauty of the forests.

For further details on ticks and their health risks as well as helpful prevention measures, we recommend the article at jagdverband.de and the report on ticks anl.bayern.de. Nature invites us, but let us treat it responsibly!