“This is my first trip to Costa Rica and they ate me alive.” How many times have I heard this statement? There may be more species of insects in Costa Rica than anywhere on the planet, but they aren’t much of a problem for those who live here over time. You might see a “gringo” who has just arrived covered in bites, but you rarely see an tico (Costa Rican) with bites. Even a gringo who lives here seems a lot less bitten over time. Perhaps it is onion and garlic that is found in most dishes.
Anyway, “something bit me last night?” I will mention the most common teethers that cause itchiness. These are the little black ants that are about 1/2 centimeter long, the big mosquitoes and especially the little ones, and the no-see-ums.
The little black ants are everywhere, on the walls, the plants, on the lot you may be looking to buy. Warning! Never stand in the same place in a lot or on a driveway. When you look down, you can see a swarm of ants crawling on your feet. Suddenly you panic, you try to sweep them away and too late, they all seem to bite you at the same time. Sometimes spraying with a water hose will get them out quicker, but don’t expect some to bite you. Same with your hands: touch a plant and you can expect to find your hands harboring some ants. Now if they do bite, try not to scratch or the itch will drive you crazy. Sometimes I have found that applying a bit of red soil near where the ant bit you takes the itch away immediately. You may need to moisten the soil to apply it. A veterinary cream called Panalog can also eliminate itching. Otherwise, it will itch, you will feel the need to scratch until the itching stops, and then the itching will return hours later. This scenario can occur over several days.
There are a number of other biting ants. One is very small, yellowish, and appears almost transparent. I think it’s from the fire ant family. It feels like a pin point that keeps burning/itching for an hour or so. This is the ant that Ticos like to avoid the most. Another ant is the leafcutter ant. Don’t let these bite you. They will draw blood and hold on with a strong death grip. This is a female to be careful of. All the males that mated with the queen are dead. Finally, it is said that army ants bite. It’s best to stay out of their way and let them clean up dead bugs and ant eggs. Costa Rica has many species of ants; I am only highlighting the most common teethers.
Next on my list are rots, no-see-ums, or sand fleas. These little ones are found along beaches, coastal roads, or near mangroves. They like to come out at dusk and can stay all night until the heat of the days chases them to hide. Once you are in an area with no visibility, you can be mercilessly bitten. Plan to itch for about three days. Sulfur powder sprinkled on clothing or ankles helps deter these invisibles from biting. Also, if you know you are going to a seaside hotel or restaurant, always wear long pants and long sleeves. Again panalog can determine them or stop the itch once they bite you.
Last on my list are mosquitoes: the very small and aggressive ones called Sancudos, normal mosquitoes, and those that transmit diseases like malaria and dengue. However, because Costa Rica has a fairly well-balanced ecosystem that is not totally spoiled by chemicals, bats, snakes, frogs, praying mantises, and birds do a remarkable job of containing mosquito populations. For example, a small bat can catch and eat 600 mosquitoes per hour. Yeah! Once again, garlic may be the reason Ticos and those who live here over time are rarely minced.
Whether you’re renting, house-sitting, or just visiting, there are several remedies that help with itching or prevent bites in the first place. To prevent in the first place, keep the lights off as much as possible, spray your clothes with sulfur or pyrethrum powder, or avoid restaurants or hotels near the beach. Find a rental in Costa Rica away from the beach. Other solutions include applying cedar oil, rubbing alcohol, rosemary oil, Mexican vanilla, citronella oil, Avon’s “Oh So Sweet,” and cactus juice lotion.
You’ve been bitten and now you want to stop the itching. With your fingernail, make a line across the bite and cross that line with another line that intersects the first. If that doesn’t succeed, add more lines creating a lattice pattern. Solutions that might help include: rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, aloe vera gel, lemon juice, lavender oil, a baking soda paste, or sticky toothpaste.
