5 wildlife hazards to avoid on the Treasure Coast

Watch out! Here’s advice on how to escape wildlife hazards on the Treasure Coast.

• Stingray shuffle: Shuffle your feet as you enter the ocean or Indian River Lagoon to avoid being stung.
• Mullet run: Don’t swim amid migratory schools to avoid predatory fish and sharks.
• Lovebug season(s): Swarms in fall and spring can damage your car's paint, so remove splattered bugs immediately with microfiber cloths, soft netted sponges, clay bars or moistened dryer sheets.
• No-see-ums: Use high-velocity fans and avoid coastal areas during dawn and dusk, especially in summer because most insect repellents are useless against biting midges.
• (Don’t) go gators: Don't walk along the edge of lakes and retention ponds where alligators can lunge at you or your dog within a few feet of the shoreline.

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com . Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 5 wildlife hazards to avoid on the Treasure Coast