I'm aware of the bugs but... (Kihei: hotel, home, scorpions)

[DavidAMIs]

I was wondering how many of Hawaii's roaches were considered B52's? Is it only the American Cockroach that gets that big? I know the state has like 18 different species of the roach.

When I was on the big island staying on a farm up in Ninole, I saw about 3 or 4 big ones the 5 weeks that I was there. Two sightings happened in the same moment, so it wasn't a constant thing. They'd usually only come out if we got back to the cabin after dark. We'd turn on the lights and BAM! 1 or 2 on the ceiling or hiding behind a kitchen appliance. I saw them everyday in Kauai though at the retreat I was staying at near the Makaleha Trail. Those B52's were relentless even during the day. And I'm scared of them so my girlfriend had to do all the killing. LOL. I think I've also seen a smaller roach that looked like it had stripes but that's about it.

I feel like being on the islands, I'd learn to get used to the bugs. It's all apart of the lifestyle and it's something I'm willing to embrace.

[PacificFlights]

Its not common but many who come are just not prepared for the size some can get so when it happens they freek out. To residents, its the same as anyother natural thing and after a while its no big deal. If you live on Hawaii the most you see of snakes are those oversize worms and thats what your use to, so imagine if you end up in the Amazon and suddenly see one of those freight train size snakes, you will get freeked. The locals will make stories and jokes about the size, but it really is nothing but something to joke about.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by DavidAMIs

Those B52's were relentless even during the day. And I'm scared of them so my girlfriend had to do all the killing. LOL.

They are nothing to be afraid of, they won't hurt you. It's natural to flinch when something unexpected shows up in your line of sight, but you will probably get used to them once you've seen them a few times.

It all depends on location... some places have them all the time, some places you never see them.

[leilaniguy]

Definitely depends on location. The only time I've been bothered by them is when they hide in the toilet bowl. Quite a surprise at 3 AM!

[DavidAMIs]

Some really good points made here. I started doing a little research on roaches. I agree on the line of sight comment. That's usually the worst moment when you come into contact with one. I think being able to look at pictures of bugs without squirming these days as compared to when I was younger is a major step in getting used to them.

I saw a lot of spiders (no cane or black widows) too and I only saw one centipede in Kauai that looked like a baby or something. We killed it anyway... We saw no scorpions. I guess we got lucky having only been bothered by the roaches. Also, I remember standing under a hornets nest with two or three flying around it. I got lucky there too. And while I was meditating on a rock on Secret Beach, a honey bee landed on me but just stayed still and did nothing.

[Dthraco]

When I lived in Texas we called the roaches Water Bugs. I moved to Oahu yesterday, and when wlaking around waikiki today, I saw two of the same size roach. About 2 inches long each.

Oh, I also saw the smaller variety in the shower at a place I looked at. Poor little guy didn't make it. The one in my hotel room is doing ok though.

Roaches don't really bother me. It's just a part of life. I say they don't bother me, but I DO make sure to be smart about them. Dry all the dished before putting them away. Keep the glasses open side down. Put food and silverware in plastic containers. They live off of the water they find on dishes, so I make sure there isn't any. Same with access to food. I *might* be a little anna lee retentive about it. But better safe than sorry.

[KonaKat]

Although we cannot eradicate any of the bugs altogether, it's really a good idea to keep them out of your home when it comes to roaches.

"roaches" disease - Google Search

Pretty serious actually.

"roaches" disease - Google Search

[AlohaHuey]

They call them "Palmetto Bugs" in Florida...it sounds nicer than "roaches"...

[winkosmosis]

I haven't seen a single cockroach since I moved to Kihei.

[AlohaHuey]

Keeping foliage away from your dwelling is a help.