FOUND on theescapist's forums:
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willis888
45 POSTED: 31 January 2012 8:55 pm
Copy Clerk
Posts: 119
Joined: 18 May 2010
Topical anesthetics hit leeches hard. Their entire body is a mucus membrane, so they absorb them fast. I'd use tobacco infused vegetable oil and benzocaine spray.
Mix some vegetable oil and snuff into a paste, and before you go out, cover your knee-high socks with that tobacco paste.
Wear a 2nd pair of socks over the treated ones, and tuck the hem of your pants under this 2nd pair of socks.
While you are out, spray your boots, socks, and pants with benzocaine topical anesthetic once every hour or so.
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DIGGING on the 'net:
The african soap berry has been found (0) to kill leeches, and its active ingredient (1) is similar to the indian soap nut (2) so could be used to soak a cloth that's tied/glued/velcro'd to the top of the boot to prevent the leech from climbing up.
references:
0: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/leeches-a-review-on-their-pathogenic-and-beneficial-effects-2157-7579-1000511-98426.html
1: 2.2 Endod plant, Phytolacca dodecandra. The active molluscicidal compounds in P. dodecandra berries are triterpenoids (Fig. 1.). Chemically, they are the acetal derivates of carbohydrates called saponins and produce a foaming aqueous solution.
2: Reetha / Soapnut
Botanical Name: Sapindus mukorossi / Sapindus trifoliatus.
Health Benefits : Hair Care.
Active Ingredients: Saponins.
(previous two results from the top Google search)
