Leech socks are the most effective and most convenient way of avoiding leech bites while hiking though rain forests of Sri Lanka. This simple technique involves wearing a tick, long, cloth sock covering up to the knee which will effectively prevent leech bites. To add to the plus points it is very simple to make your own pair of leech socks!
Get hold of a pair of old cotton trousers. Cut the two legs pieces, about 2 feet long from the bottom. Stitch the wide end and put an elastic band or a code around the narrower end. Wear your regular socks, then wear a cotton trouser and put on the leech sock over regular sock and the cotton trouser. Tie up the code or elastic band.
Wear you shoes or boots over this setup. The magic is that leeches cannot penetrate cotton (they can easily penetrate regular socks!). They will still get on to your shoe, may go in your boots and may even try to crawl up along your trouser from out side. But they can’t bite you! It’s also important to wear a t-shirt tucked in to the trouser and wear a belt juts to make sure that the brave ones walking up will not get a chance to move in