Dangerous Pests & Fungi: Don’t Touch These If You See Them on Your Plants! ☠️🌿

Dangerous Pests & Fungi: Don’t Touch These If You See Them on Your Plants! ☠️🌿

When caring for plants—whether in your garden, on your balcony, or inside your home—it’s easy to focus only on watering and sunlight. But danger often lurks where you least expect it: pests and fungi. Some of these invaders not only destroy plants but can harm humans through touch or airborne spores. This article will guide you through identifying, managing, and safely removing the most dangerous pests and fungi you should never touch with bare hands.

🚨 Why It Matters: The Hidden Dangers

Some pests and fungi produce:

• Toxins that irritate skin or lungs.
• Allergens that trigger asthma or rashes.
• Spores or secretions that spread disease among plants and even humans.

That’s why identification and careful handling are crucial.

☠️ 1. Dangerous Pests to Avoid Touching

🐛 A. Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)

• Origin: Asia, invasive in the US and Europe.
• What to Watch For: Black or gray body with vivid red underwings.
• Dangers:
  • Leaves a sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mold.
  • Can cause skin irritation and crop destruction.
• DO NOT TOUCH with bare hands; wear gloves and use a container to trap it.

🐞 B. Blister Beetles

• What to Watch For: Elongated body, soft wings, black or gray color.
• Dangers:
  • Release cantharidin, a chemical that causes blisters on contact.
• What to Do:
  • Use forceps or tweezers to remove them.
  • Wash affected skin with soap and cold water if contact happens.

🐌 C. Slugs and Snails with Parasitic Risks

• What to Watch For: Shiny trails, often found under leaves or near soil.
• Dangers:
  • May carry rat lungworm or salmonella.
• Method:
  • Use gloves or beer traps to lure and remove.

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