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Contact Us

The Wayne has three offices to serve visitors. 

Office hours are 8 - 4:30 Monday through 

Friday. 

Athens Ranger District

13700 U.S. Hwy 33

Nelsonville, OH 45764

Phone: 740-753-0101

Marietta Unit Office

27515 State Route 7

Marietta, OH 45750

Phone: 740-373-9055

Ironton Ranger District

6518 State Route 93

Pedro, OH 45659

Phone: 740-534-6500

Federal relay system for the deaf and 

hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339

website: www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/waynenationalforest

USDA is an equal opportunity

 provider and employer.

Plants to Avoid

Visitors often ask what precautions they need to 

take when visiting the Wayne National Forest. 

They’re often surprised when they’re told the 

most common hazard that can spoil a visit to the 

Forest is not an encounter with bears or snakes, 

it is a “poison” plant. The rashes and discomfort 

can certainly ruin an otherwise pleasant visit to 

the Forest.

The Itch that Lasts

 There are certain plants that cause skin rashs 

and irritations lasting a week or more. Most of 

the human population reacts to these plants, and 

sensitivity in individuals changes over time. 

People who have never had a reaction in the past 

should still avoid plants such as poison ivy, since 

toxins can build up in an immune system, and 

after a certain level cause a reaction. 

 These plants contain oils which cause irritations in humans. The oil is in the stems, leaves, 

and berries of the plants and can be transmitted 

by brushing against the plant, or from secondary 

contact with animals or clothing.

 When building fires in the forest with downed 

wood, be careful not to use wood that has vines 

on it. Smoke from a poison ivy vine can cause 

serious respiratory problems in some individuals.

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

Found: along trails, roadsides and woodlands

Appearance: 

trailing, perennial vine. 

Can also 

Continued on 

inside

Wayne National Forest

Natural

Hazards

Forest

Service

FS-R9-033

05/2015
Ticks and Lyme Disease

One of the “critters” that people fear most in the 

forests of Ohio, is the tick. Over the past 20-30 

years the number of ticks on the Wayne NF has 

increased dramatically. Along with the increase in 

the numbers of ticks, is a growing problem with 

diseases associated with ticks. 

 For many people, finding a tick latched onto 

their leg is enough to ruin a trip to the woods. Like 

finding a roach in your bed sheets, it leaves you 

feeling unaccountably paranoid. With the threat of 

Lyme disease and other tick-bourn illnesses, people’s fears have intensified 

and some are afraid to 

visit the forest. 

Tick Demographics

 Weather conditions have the greatest effect 

on the density of ticks. After a mild winter tick 

populations are especially high. Ticks are worse in 

early spring when adults who have over-wintered 

start moving around looking to feed. Eggs from 

the previous year begin to hatch as well. 

 Ticks are not particularly choosy about their 

hosts. Any warm-blooded host will do. They climb 

up in brush and wait for a host to happen by. They 

attach themselves to the host and suck the host’s 

blood, feeding until they’re full (6-13 days), then 

drop off and lay eggs. Incredibly, some ticks can 

survive up to two years between feedings.

 A female tick lays from 4,000-6,000 eggs. After 

the eggs hatch, the tiny larvae or seed ticks, find 

hosts and feed just as the adults do. The larvae 

of some types of ticks are almost invisible to the 

human eye, but literally hundreds can feed on one 

person, resulting in painful itching and in some 

people an allergic reaction. In most species, the 

larvae feed only on small mammals.

 There are over 800 species of ticks. Different 

species carry different diseases. Rocky Mountain 

Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease are two of the 

better known diseases spread by ticks. Some diseases, such as Lyme Disease may affect pets and 

livestock as well as people. 

Avoiding Ticks 

 Ticks are going to congregate where they have 

a high chance of finding a host or where they 

hatched out as larvae. Any high traffic area should 

be avoided, including cow paths in pastures and 

deer paths in the woods. It’s also good to avoid tall 

grass and thick brush. If your pets roam into areas 

where they are likely to pick up ticks, routinely 

check them for ticks and use baths, dips, and flea 

and tick collars to reduce the chances of your pets 

bringing ticks into your home and yard. 

 Several commercial insect repellents work 

quite well. Ensure the repellent has the ingredient 

DEET (for exposed skin) or PERMETHRIN (for 

clothing) to be most effective on ticks. In areas of 

high tick infestation, you’ll need to apply it every 

2-3 hours. Another proven method of repelling 

ticks is to sprinkle sulphur on your socks, boots, 

and pant legs.

 Tying or taping your pant legs tight around 

your ankles so the ticks can’t crawl up inside your 

pants and tucking in your shirt is also recommended. It won’t cut down on the number of ticks you 

might get, but it will make them easier to spot and 

remove. Another suggestion is to wear light colored clothing which make the ticks easier to spot. 

Be sure and promptly wash and dry all clothing 

at a high temperature to kill any ticks that might 

remain. Visitors might also want to stay on trails 

where the chance of picking up ticks is reduced. 

Diseases Carried by Ticks

 Removing a tick within 36 hours of when it 

becomes embedded will lessen the chance of disease transmission. You may wish to keep the tick 

for a few weeks in a vial labeled with the date and 

loca-tion of the bite. If medical attention is later 

sought, the type of tick has some bearing on the 

disease it might be carrying. For instance, if it is 

the deer tick, it is usually associated with Lyme 

disease. Deer ticks are mahogany brown, oval 

shaped, and appear to have two separate plates 

on their backs. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is 

carried by the Lone Star tick, a round dark brown 

tick with a distinctive white mark on its back. 

 Two other diseases, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis 

have also been diagnosed, with symptoms very 

similar to Lyme Disease and are easily treated. 

If the bite looks suspicious, you should see your 

local physician.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease include:

 - a red or pink rash, or a bump near the area 

bitten which expands in size and may become as 

large as 10-15 inches in diameter.

 - fever, chills, headache, and fatique

 - enlarged lymph nodes

 - stiff joints - usually the knees and neck

If these symptoms are present, a physician should 

be consulted immediately. The symptoms will 

likely occur 1 to 8 weeks after a person is bitten.

And then there are Chiggers!

 Chiggers are parasitic arthropods that bite 

humans. These tiny creatures attach to the host, 

inject digestive enzymes into the bite wound, and 

then suck up the digested tissue. They do not 

burrow into the skin or suck blood. Itching from 

a chigger bite may not develop until 24-48 hours 

later, long after the chigger is gone. 

 Chiggers thrive in warm, rainy weather, from 

April through early autumn. Though they normally feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles and 

amphibians, the larval stage may also feed on 

humans. Chiggers are usually found in tall grass 

and other vegetation.

 Insect repellent deters chiggers. To reduce 

itching once you’re bitten, an application of any 

anti-itch medication will help.
appear as a small bush or as a ground cover.

Things to Look For: Three leaflets which alternate up the stem. Young leaves have a reddish tint 

and may have either smooth or jagged edges. Old 

vines are very hairy. In late summer and fall it will 

have green to white berries on the vines. A verse 

learned by many children to help them remember 

poison ivy is: “Leaves of three, let it be; berries 

white, poison in sight.” In the fall this vine turns 

brilliant red. A similar-looking common vine is 

Virginia Creeper, but Virginia Creeper has five 

fan-shaped leaflets.

Treatment if Exposed: Rinse area as soon as 

possible with lots of cool water and soap. Avoid 

hot water since it opens the skin’s pores more. Do 

not scrub the area as this will also allow the toxin 

to get in the pores. Generally a rash appears 12-24 

hours after exposure. 

Poison Oak (Toxicodendron rydbergii)

Poison Oak is a mostly western U.S. species 

found in open sunny habitats. It is not found in the 

Wayne National Forest. 

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Found: This invasive plant is found mostly along 

roads but is invading many areas of the Forest. 

Appearance: From sapling to tree.

Things to Look For: Smooth bark, clusters of 

seeds in late summer, purple hue to leaves in early 

summer.

Exposure: Use caution if cutting this 

tree for firewood. 

In some people, sap 

from this tree has 

entered through a 

cut in the skin and 

caused a heart attack. 

Poison Ivy - continued

Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)

Found: Swamps or very wet areas. Usually in the 

shade. 

Appearance: Shrub or small tree from 6.5 feet to 

23 feet tall.

Things to Look For: Shrub with compound 

leaves and grayish-white berry clusters in 

swamps. Appears similar to the fragrant sumac 

found along 

roadsides 

which has 

fuzzy red berries. 

Treatment 

if Exposed:

Rinse area as 

soon as possible with lots of cool water and soap. Skin rash 

and irritation will occur upon contact and can last 

a week or more.

Giant Hog Weed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Found: This is another invasive plant which is 

now found only in 

Athens County.

Appearance: Large 

white flowers, on 

stems with purple 

streaks.

Exposure: This is 

a phototoxic plant. 

Touching the plant’s 

sap can cause severe 

blisters and even 

blindness.

Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) 

and Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) 

Found: Bottomlands and along streams in shady 

areas.

Appearance: Perennial herb up to two feet tall 

with stiff hairs on the stem.

Things to Look For: Each tiny hair on the stems 

and leaves is hollow 

with a jagged point 

at the end. A bump 

against the stiff hair 

squeezes an irritating 

chemical through the 

hair and onto a passing person’s skin, 

much like a hypodermic needle.

Treatment if Exposed: Apply lotions 

with an anti-inflammatory and cooling 

effects (talc, calamine). Home remedies include rubbing the irritated area with juice 

of dock (Rumex spp.) or jewelweed (Impatiens 

capensis).

Human Reaction: Rash and dermatitis with an 

intense burning sensation due to allergic reaction.

Other Hazards You Might Encounter 

Falling Limbs and Trees - especially on windy 

days, trees and limbs can fall in the forest. Be 

alert. If you see a hazardous tree in a campground 

or across a trail, let us know.

Rabid Animals - Although extremely rare, you 

might encounter a rabid animal. These animals 

would act sick, and are easy to avoid. Again, you 

should report them to the DNR or to one of our 

offices. 
Spiders and Snakes

There are two species of venomous spiders and 

two venomous snakes on the Wayne National 

Forest. In both cases these animals will usually 

not bother you unless disturbed. If you’re observant and don’t corner them, you’ll likely not have 

problems with any of these animals. If bitten or 

stung by any of them - seek medical attention.

Please note the timber rattlesnake is 

state endangered and no snake should 

be needlessly killed. 

Black widow

Timber rattlesnake (left) and 

copperhead 

(below)

BEARS?

Ohio has Black Bears?

Yes, bears have moved in from surrounding 

forests in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It is 

important to learn now how to live with bears to 

minimize negative encounters.

Hiking and Camping in Bear Country

When you are hiking or camping keep in mind:

• Hike in a group. 

• Make some noise as you hike. Talk, sing or clap 

your hands so you don’t startle a bear. Some 

people wear bells to alert bears they are around.

• Use caution on windy days and in areas where 

a bear may not see or hear you coming. It is important to warn a bear of your presence.

• Keep children close. Children should stay with 

the group and always on the path.

• Pets should always be on a leash. 

• Keep all “smellables” in sealed containers. 

This includes food, garbage, toiletries, and any 

clothing you have cooked in. Hang these items 

in a tree at least 12 feet high and 10 feet from the 

trunk of the tree. 

• Vehicles are NOT bear-proof. 

Keep food out of your car. A 

persistent bear will enter your car 

and cause damage to it.

• Sleep away from food storage 

or cooking areas. Pitch your tent 

up-wind of food. Do not sleep 

in clothes worn while cooking or 

eating.

• Dispose of waste in proper containers. This includes trash and 

wastewater. Dish water dumped 

in the fire ring can attract bears.

Proper storage for food, 

toiletries, clothing, and 

trash when camping in 

bear populated areas.

Bear Encounters

Black bear encounters in Ohio are rare. If you do 

encounter a bear while in the forest you should 

feel privileged, not afraid. However it is important to know how to react if you DO see a bear.

Learn to be A.W.A.R.E.

Act calm. Do not run. Bears, like dogs have a 

natural chase instinct. 

Warn the bear you are there. Talk in a firm, but 

calm voice to let the bear know you are there and 

that you are human.

Allow space between you and the bear. If you are 

on a path step aside, hopefully the bear will keep 

on its way. Back away slowly.

Raise your hands above your head to appear larger. 

If the bear is still following you clap your hands, 

shout at the bear, or throw something like a stick 

towards it to scare it off.

Exit the area. Detour your path around the area of 

black bear activity.

In the rare case you are being attacked by a black 

bear FIGHT BACK. Use any means possible to 

fend off the bear. 

If you do see a 

bear contact Ohio 

DNR - Division 

of Wildlife at 

1-800-WILDLIFE. Harming 

or disturbing a 

bear is punishable 

by fine of $1,000 

plus 120 days jail 

time because it 

is an endangered 

species in Ohio.

Brown 

recluse 

spider