How bad are the mosquitoes and other bugs and insects in Placencia, Belize?
Frik De Meyere
How bad are the mosquitoes and other bugs and insects in Placencia varies throughout the year. During the Dry Season, which is 6 to 8 months, there are very, very few mosquitoes in the peninsula and even fewer sand flies. The reason is because there is less “sweet water.. These bugs can’t nest in the Caribbean water; they need fresh, potable, clean water. They don’t breed in salt water or brackish water.
During the Rainy Season it can be pretty...
During the Rainy Season it can be pretty...
How bad are the mosquitoes and other bugs and insects in Placencia varies throughout the year. During the Dry Season, which is 6 to 8 months, there are very, very few mosquitoes in the peninsula and even fewer sand flies. The reason is because there is less “sweet water.. These bugs can’t nest in the Caribbean water; they need fresh, potable, clean water. They don’t breed in salt water or brackish water.
During the Rainy Season it can be pretty unbearable. There were a couple of occasions that I was literally bombarded with mosquitoes, which was disgusting. The city has a little truck that drives around spraying whatever it is that they spray, which helps. Generally speaking, it’s not that bad.
During the Rainy Season it can be pretty unbearable. There were a couple of occasions that I was literally bombarded with mosquitoes, which was disgusting. The city has a little truck that drives around spraying whatever it is that they spray, which helps. Generally speaking, it’s not that bad.
Posted December 1, 2014
Veronique McKenzie - CTTBeliZe
Mosquitoes, bugs, and other insects are not a problem in Placencia and we are far from being the worst in the country of Belize. Mosquitoes and sandflies are easy to avoid and I teach this to many people. You only have to remember two numbers: 5 to 7. That would be 5 to 7 AM or 5 to 7 PM. That is when the bugs come out. If you attract them, since every skin is different, you need to protect yourself when there is more risk. 80% of Placencia Village does not have a problem with...Mosquitoes, bugs, and other insects are not a problem in Placencia and we are far from being the worst in the country of Belize. Mosquitoes and sandflies are easy to avoid and I teach this to many people. You only have to remember two numbers: 5 to 7. That would be 5 to 7 AM or 5 to 7 PM. That is when the bugs come out. If you attract them, since every skin is different, you need to protect yourself when there is more risk. 80% of Placencia Village does not have a problem with bugs and insects. There are just certain areas in Placencia Village that could have more sandflies compared to others. For people who are coming to Placencia to retire, it sometimes takes a little getting used to. I got through that as well. It usually takes a year to get used to it. Sandflies come and try to bite me but now I can kill them before they can. The mosquitoes do not like you anymore once you’ve been here for too long. They like tourists.
If you are in Placencia, the mosquitoes in Placencia know you. When you go to Belize City, mosquitoes might chew you up because the mosquitoes there don’t know you. It is some sort of blood community. They know whom to bite. The bugs and mosquitoes in Placencia, however, are not as bad as the rest of the country. I have been to so many villages and honestly, I would put Placencia as the top place that doesn’t have a huge bug problem. You will see some people in Placencia Village who get bitten by mosquitoes but that may be because they attract the mosquitoes or they are not protected.
If you go north on the Placencia Peninsula from the town of Placencia to the Placencia Hotel, even I get bitten by sandflies. Mosquitoes and other insects are different depending on where you are on the peninsula. Maya Beach is not bad as the other places around Placencia. Away from Placencia Peninsula, if you go to Punta Gorda, you get bitten less by mosquitoes and sandflies. If you go to Dangriga, they have other kinds of sandflies that cut your skin when they bite. The bug situation is terrible in Belize City because there are a lot of mosquitoes, but not too many sandflies.
(Pictured: Beach in Placencia, Belize, with two hammocks.)
Posted July 14, 2015
Wayne Robbins - The Placencia
In certain areas in Placencia, the situation with mosquitoes, bugs and insects is not great. They leave me alone and sometimes don’t bite other people.Whenever you go into the jungle, you should wear long sleeves and cover up. It’s not horrible, but mosquitoes, bugs and insects are out there. I have the same problem in Florida in June, July and August. I have the same problem in Long Island in July and August.
You have to use spray against bugs...
In certain areas in Placencia, the situation with mosquitoes, bugs and insects is not great. They leave me alone and sometimes don’t bite other people.Whenever you go into the jungle, you should wear long sleeves and cover up. It’s not horrible, but mosquitoes, bugs and insects are out there. I have the same problem in Florida in June, July and August. I have the same problem in Long Island in July and August.
You have to use spray against bugs mosquitoes and insects. You should always be aware of this. In general, though, because we are right on the water, we get a nice cross breeze, which reduces the problem.
(Lagoon in Placencia, Belize,pictured.)
Posted November 4, 2015