Hawaiian Insects: Are they really that bad?

[CyberCity]

Besides that, always pull back your covers before you hop in to bed. We've had a centipede will crawl up and nestle between the sheets were it was cool and dark. We've had a scorpion in a clothes drawer. A scorpion in the linen closet. Had ants make nests in drawers, cabinets, and coffeemaker. And in a bed (in that case, it was in less than 2 hours time!) It is just a fact of life in Hawaii, and bugs will appear in the night while you are asleep. If it is a deal breaker, then Hawaii won't be a restful choice for you.

But if you just figure that bugs are a nuisance to deal with, then you'll be OK. [With a few exceptions of them being more serious than a nuisance, such as termites.]

By the way, wearing shoes in the house is a habit you'll want to break, if you plan on visiting others.

[Rogerluli]

In China one removes their shoes when entering any house...But slippers/scuffs/sandals/flip-flops as appropriate, are provided for indoor wear...Personally I cannot walk around barefoot because of heel problems.

[Lana9]

It's all scary

[NYC_mom99]

We moved to HNL from NYC 9 months ago -- resurrecting this post!

In NYC we were on the 2nd floor of a pre-war building -- the kind of old building where dust and dirt could settle into the cracks where the ceiling met the floor. Our neighbors on one side were 2 old guys who seemed like hoarders. The back door to the apartment opened to a hallway where large garbage bags were kept. We have 2 kids and were very clean. I rarely (maybe 5 times total) in our 10+ years in NYC (3 years in this most recent place) saw roaches. I think the building had a very good policy of spraying, taking out garbage, and sealing doors.

Fast forward to tonight, where I am battling ants in the kitchen and the bathroom, and have seen several large B52 2-3inch roaches in the house in the past month. We are renting a house in HNL that is closer to the ocean, so we don't have centipedes. We have a yard, but have cut back plants near the house. We have caulked cabinets, kitchen and bath areas. We are pretty good about sweeping up kiddo crumbs, mopping up water etc. A professional spray job was done when we moved in, but the roaches and ants are a constant battle. I like the geckos hanging around the house, but the poop is an issue.

Now we have visited some fancy new high rise condos in Ala Moana area and I have to say, they feel very nice and sleek and clean. I can't imagine as many bugs on the 20th floor.

But hey -- with kids we wanted a yard. And I think the older homes that come with a yard likely can have issues. Our home simply doesn't completely close off to the outside -- the window jalousies don't ever really "fully" close, and the doors have small cracks underneath.

I suppose we could go crazy, but I have come to the conclusion that we can be clean (we obviously don't want an infestation), we can try to seal off openings ... but that some bugs will just simply get in. My husband grew up here, and he says it is just a fact of living here!

...feeling creepy crawly, but learning to just deal and smack with a slippah!!

[Jungjohann]

Originally Posted by NYC_mom99

We are renting a house in HNL that is closer to the ocean, so we don't have centipedes.

pssssssssttttttttttttttttt...............ppppsssss sssssssssttttttttttttttt......hey, NYC Mom....................





(listen, I don't mean to intrude, but evidently you're not aware of the fact that Honolulu Centipedes, namely Local CCC 741, DO READ CDF,,,,,, and gather essential data concerning any areas of town where they may not be duly represented.... Just a little heads up)


(You might want to invest in some industrial grade rubbah slippahs)



E komo mai, Kawika Kiapolo Makolowiki'nui
President, Local Creepy Crawly Critters #741, Honolulu, Hawaii





uuuurrrrrppppp, scuze us