Hiking Sinharaja Rainforest. How bad are the leeches? Do I need "leech socks"?

In the rainforests (Sinharaja, Kanneliya) and sometimes in the Tea Country (Knuckles), leeches are a guarantee, especially if it rained recently. Leggings won't stop them, they can bite through thin tight fabric!

The Solution: Leech Socks. These are knee-high calico/fabric over-socks that you wear over your trousers. The weave is too tight for leeches to penetrate. Your trekking guide will almost certainly have a spare pair for you to rent or buy for a few dollars.

The "Salt" Trick: Guides often carry a pouch of salt or a spray of salt water/citronella. Applying this to your shoes helps deter them.

Don't Panic: If one bites you, don't pull it off (it bleeds more). Let the guide spray it with salt, and it will fall off. It’s painless, just a bit messy!