The torrential rain in Sydney is continuous to offer the proper situations for blood-sucking leeches to infiltrate backyards and houses.
Sydneysiders have taken to social media to share their bloody horror tales of encounters with leeches this week.
Chloe Gale, from leafy Lane Cove, on Sydney's decrease north shore, stated there have been "a loopy quantity" of leeches in her dwelling currently.
But it surely was in the course of the downpours in February that a leech offered one second she would always remember.
She discovered her pet cat Bluey with a leech curled via its nostril and all the way down to its mouth.
A fast dab of salt and the leech dropped off, Ms Gale stated.
"We actually have a container of salt in our front room prepared, we have had so many leeches currently. The cat was wonderful."
No-one, it appears, is secure from the parasitic worms - even residents in high-rise flats.
One other Lane Cove resident, Jit Gill, was shocked to see a leech climbing up the surface of his window - on the twentieth ground.
"You already know there's a main drawback with all this rain in Sydney when the leeches are operating for increased floor," Mr Gill quipped in a submit on Fb.
Professor Dieter Hochuli, from Sydney College's Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, stated leeches had been "completely arrange for climbing".
"They have suckers every finish and primarily what they do is that they inch their manner up in that quite simple inchworm sort of motion.
"You'll hope that you'd be a bit remoted for those who're up on the twentieth storey, however no."
'They're having a good time'
This 12 months's deluge of rain had been the leeches' achieve, Prof Hochuli stated.
"They discuss it being good climate for geese nevertheless it's been good climate for leeches, snails and slugs," he stated.
"They're having a good time and thriving within the present local weather.
"Leeches are a sort of modified worm so one in every of their greatest risks is drying out.
"This excessive humidity and rainfall has been nice for them."
Leeches had been opportunistic creatures, and will typically be seen hanging round ready for an animal or human simply to go by and supply them with the chance to latch on, Prof Hochuli stated.
As soon as they've latched on, leeches launch an anticoagulant to advertise the move of blood.
Additionally they produce a naturally-occurring anaesthetic, which explains why many individuals do not instantly discover if a leech is sucking on their blood, Prof Hochuli stated.
"It's only a very intelligent manner of making certain that you do not discover it till it is had an honest feed," he stated.
There was some proof to recommend leeches had been in a position to monitor potential victims by sensing warmth and carbon dioxide, he added.
"They've this capability to hone in on physique warmth and carbon dioxide, it appears," Prof Hochuli stated.
"So you may be sitting on the sofa and you may see the leech truly inching its manner in the direction of you."
EXPLAINED: When is it going to cease raining?
Can leeches hurt you?
Whereas getting a leech chunk will not be nice, all of the proof suggests the parasites are usually innocent to people, Prof Hochuli stated.
"There's been some work wanting inside them and making an attempt to work out in the event that they're carrying pathogens, however they are not like mosquitoes or ticks the place the bites are actually tightly linked to well being points.
"The commonest situation you would possibly see from a leech chunk is that if it will get contaminated, then it will possibly develop into a nasty sort of sore."
How do you take away a leech?
Whereas some individuals choose to make use of salt or vinegar to make a leech break contact with pores and skin, Prof Hochuli stated leeches might usually be merely flicked off with out hurt.
"For those who've acquired respectable fingernails you'll be able to simply flick them off," he stated.
"Even a bank card can work. For those who form of slide it simply barely beneath after which principally simply you'll be able to simply flick them away fairly simply."
Contact reporter Emily McPherson at emcpherson@9.com.au