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Elisha & Gordon’s Note: Kevin Keegan, our neighbour and fellow expat, who we recently introduced you to guest blogs today. If you’ve ever wondered or worried what the situation is with creepy crawly critters in Nicaragua Kevin’s article will provide some insight, clarity and peace of mind.
Nicaragua can certainly provide a style of life that many people can get used to. There is one part of life here however, that some of us tend to struggle with; that’s with the creepy crawly critters commonly found in our homes and rental properties.
Most of us that live or visit Nicaragua for any length of time will have at least one encounter with one or more of these critters. Whether this encounter is a frightening experience or a curious one may depend entirely on an individual’s outlook on adventure.
Three of the most common critters found in Nica homes that many of us seem to — at least initially — get the willies from are house geckos, spiders and scorpions.
HOUSE GECKOS
House geckos are often seen scurrying up and down our walls or perched on the ceiling looking as though they are about to get into trouble or just coming from it. Geckos are nocturnal, finding cozy places to sleep during the day and searching the house for bugs to eat at night.
We have found the biggest danger house geckos pose to us is annoyance. Leaving poop droppings in their wake and their incessant night chattering can wreak havoc on the nerves until gotten used to.
SPIDERS
Spiders in Nicaragua can be big, beautiful and extremely intimidating. Although most are found in the jungle regions, some do find their way into local homes.
Surprising to many, tarantulas do not seek out humans for sport; and they don’t typically strike unless feeling annoyed or threatened. If and when they do bite however, those susceptible to anaphylactic reaction should seek immediate medical attention. Keeping an Epi-Pen handy in the house or on our person gives us peace of mind.
SCORPIONS
Scorpions were a particular fear of ours and many visitors to Nicaragua and rightly so. Typically only 3 to 6 inches in length, scorpions are fierce looking critters. Being sun-sensitive, they usually make their appearance at night to hunt, then are often found playing possum on a cool tiled wall or floor in the morning.
Although a scorpion’s sting can be quite painful, there is no life threatening danger to humans, unless of course the person stung is prone to allergic reaction.
AN ENHANCED ADVENTURE
We have discovered some home remedies to get rid of geckos, but why? They feed on many of the other annoying bugs that make themselves at home in our home. Regular cleaning will keep spiders and bugs to a minimum. With time and experience we have learned a few creative methods to shoo some of these critters outside.
The creepy crawly critters commonly found in Nicaragua are part of what makes this country unique; learning to live with them enhances the adventure.
About the Author
After enjoying many years of cold Canadian winters in a small community in Southern Alberta working cattle then owning and operating two small businesses, Kevin along with his wife Loretta, now call San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua home for several months of the year.
Figuring they would need to fund their life in a new country, Kevin took several writing courses and obtained certification to teach English as a foreign language, specifically business English. Finding the enjoyment in researching and writing on a variety of topics, Kevin now writes blogs and articles for various clients. Check out Kevin’s full bio here.