“This is my first trip to Costa Rica and I was eaten 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 are not much of a problem for those who live here over time. You may see a “gringo” who has just arrived covered in bite marks, but you rarely see a Tico (Costa Rican) with bite marks. Even a gringo who lives here over time seems much less bitten. Perhaps it is the onion and garlic that is found in most dishes.
Anyway, “did something bite me last night?” I will mention the most common teethers that cause itching. These are the little black ants that are about 1/2 centimeter long, the large mosquitoes and especially the small ones, and the purrujas or no-see-ums.
The little black ants are everywhere, on the walls, the plants, on the lot you may be looking to buy. Caveat! Never stand in the same spot in a lot or on a road. When you look down, you can see a swarm of ants crawling across your feet. Suddenly you panic, 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 thing 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 it or the itching will drive you crazy. Sometimes I have found that applying a bit of red soil near where the ant bit you takes away the itching right away. You may need to moisten the soil to apply it. A veterinary cream called Panalog can also eliminate the itch. Otherwise, it will itch, you will feel the urge to scratch until it stops, and then the itch will come back 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 stinging/stinging for an hour or so. This is the ant that the Ticos most like to avoid. Another ant is the leaf cutter ant. Don’t let these bite you. They will draw blood and latch on with a strong death grip. This is a female to watch out for. All the males that mated with the queen are dead. Finally, army ants are said to bite. It’s best not to get in their way and let them clean up dead bugs and ant eggs. Costa Rica has many species of ants; I’m just highlighting the most common teethers.
Next on my list are Purrujas, 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 may stay all night until the heat of the day chases them into hiding. Once you find yourself in an area with no visibility, you can be bitten mercilessly. Itching plan for about three days. Sulfur powder sprinkled on clothing or ankles helps deter these invisible ones from biting. Also, if you know you’re going to a seaside hotel or restaurant, always wear long pants and long sleeves. Again, panalog can determine them or stop the itching once they bite you.
Last on my list are the mosquitoes: the very small and aggressive ones called Sancudos, the normal mosquitoes and the ones that carry diseases like malaria and dengue fever. However, because Costa Rica has a fairly well-balanced ecosystem that isn’t totally messed up 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. Yes! Once again, the garlic may be the reason that the Ticos and those who live here for a long time rarely get minced.
Whether you’re renting, housekeeping, or just visiting, there are several remedies that help with itchiness or prevent bites in the first place. To prevent in the first place, keep the lights off as much as possible, sprinkle your clothes with sulfur powder or pyrethrum, or avoid restaurants or hotels near the beach. Find a rental in Costa Rica away from the beach. Other solutions include the application of cedarwood oil, rubbing alcohol, rosemary oil, Mexican vanilla, citronella oil, Avon’s “Oh So Sweet,” and cactus juice lotion.
You have been bitten and now you want to stop the itching. With your fingernail, draw a line across the bite and cross that line with another line that intersects the first. If that doesn’t work, 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.
