Wild animals or ticks: The real dangers in the Peiner Forest揭秘!

Wild animals or ticks: The real dangers in the Peiner Forest揭秘!

In the forests around Peine, which are known for their silence and seclusion, nature lovers can enjoy the beauty of nature. But despite all the idyll, there are a few things to keep in mind. In a self-experiment with two reporters from News38, survival coach Stefan Winkler has now shown that the greatest dangers in the forest do not necessarily come from the animals that are often feared, such as wolves or wild boars. Rather, it is the small, invisible dangers that are often overlooked. “Encounters with wild boars are largely harmless,” explains Winkler, dispelling the myth that these animals represent a major threat. The real risk in the forest are ticks, which can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease.

The challenge of ticks

Ticks are widespread in the local forest and feel particularly comfortable in densely vegetated areas, such as around Peine. According to current recommendations, it is important to avoid direct skin contact with the harassers. Ticks usually hide in grass, bushes and plants up to a height of about one meter. They do not fall from trees, but are often brushed off by animals or people and look for inconspicuous places on the body in order to suck blood undetected. Areas particularly at risk are under the armpits, in the crook of the elbow and even in the belly button. Good advice is to wear closed shoes and long pants and tuck your pant legs into your boots to reduce the chances of a tick bite.

Although the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease, is now found in many parts of Europe, the risk of infection is influenced by people's behavior. In risk areas, up to 40% of ticks can be infected. Therefore, it is advisable to check yourself regularly for attached ticks and remove them quickly to avoid serious damage to your health.

Preventive measures

How do you effectively protect yourself from ticks and the diseases associated with them? In addition to the right clothing, repellents such as “Autan” or “Anti Brumm” can also be helpful. These should be applied to skin and clothing to ward off the annoying little beasts. Although there is no approved vaccine for Lyme disease, prevention measures such as long clothing and regular check-ups can be crucial to minimizing the risk.

As awareness of the dangers posed by ticks increases, it becomes clear that, despite its beautiful aspects, the forest also presents challenges. “The peace and retreat in nature are fantastic, but we have to be careful,” says Winkler. It's time to respect not only the animals in the forest, but also the little creatures that can be dangerous to us if we're not careful.

Overall, a picture emerges in which, despite the numerous myths surrounding predators such as wild boars, the smallest creatures often pose the greatest danger. The trip to the Peiner Forest impressively showed that we should focus our attention on the small, invisible dangers that lurk in the countryside.