How Legitimate A Concern Is This?

Okay, this may sound stupid...but seriously, how much do backpackers and people staying in hostels have to worry about dangerous insect bites. Particularly those giant centipedes and spiders you hear about all over SEA..

Are they everywhere? Beds, bathrooms, hostels, etc? Call it a phobia but I am truly terrified of giant, venomous insects and the like....should someone traveling to SEA expect to find these in all over the place?

From my experience, I'd say the non-poisonous animals are much more annoying. Mosquitoes, bed bugs, flees, etc.

I came across plenty of spiders in Asia - but didn't know if any of them were dangerous. Just stay away from them for good measure.

What kind of answer can you give that won't scare someone??

In SEA you will see bugs, sometimes they are even sold by street vendors cooked up as food too!

Even expensive hotels may have cockroaches especially the rooms closer to the kitchen areas. The bathrooms may have teeny weeny ants near the sinks. (Just flush them down the drain if you see any.)

Will you be affected by bugs - probably not unless you are already a bug magnet. If you are the one person in your group that gets all of the mosquito bites and everyone else is bug free - then you might also be a bug magnet overseas too!

I wouldn't worry so much about bugs. Just be prepared that you will see big cockroaches running around on the streets and in some buildings. You might even see spiders in fields or in areas where there is not a lot of foot traffic. But unless you are the unluckiest son-of-a-gun you won't normally be bitten. Check your shoes before you put them on especially if you are staying in cheap places in rural areas.

I have been in and out of Asia since the 70's. I can't remember ever being bothered by bugs too much. I even ate a few of the fried bugs when I had too much to drink.

Enjoy your trip, yes there will be bugs but I don't think they will be a problem if you are careful. Just don't panic and start screaming because everyone will think you are bonkers! If you are a bug magnet for mosquitoes then you will have to take extra precautions like wearing long sleeves and long pants plus deet. Staying in air-conditioned hotel rooms will keep the flying bugs down because your windows will be closed all the time.

I am more worried about accidentally bringing some bugs back to my house. I go through every piece of laundry and clothing just to make sure there is nothing in my bag when I first get home.

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by yanks26dmb:
Okay, this may sound stupid...but seriously, how much do backpackers and people staying in hostels have to worry about dangerous insect bites. Particularly those giant centipedes and spiders you hear about all over SEA..

Are they everywhere? Beds, bathrooms, hostels, etc? Call it a phobia but I am truly terrified of giant, venomous insects and the like....should someone traveling to SEA expect to find these in all over the place?

The most dangerous insect bite anywhere in the world is a mosquito. Don't take chances (and the irritation) put on repellent when you mozzies around. I live in Thailand and never heard of anyone ever being bitten by a spider or centipede.
The worst encounter i had with an insect was when i swiped one of those big wasps and its head got stuck in my finger (pretty stupid to have swiped it in the first instance) very painful and i had flu-like symptoms after.

I lived in the south a long time back and met a couple of scorpions in my living room - but they were friendly enough.

gotcha..

also, it's not that I am a little girl about every single bug.

mainly, the ones with large fangs/stingers, i.e. centipedes, spiders, scorpions. I know properp recautions needed to be taken with mosquitos in the area...but its the other ones, and thinking about climbing into bed to find them under my sheets that really gets me..