Bugs in Roatan: Mosquitoes vs. No-See-Ums & Sand Fleas
If you’ve done any research about Roatan, chances are you’ve heard about the bugs.
Yes, there are bugs in Roatan. It is a tropical Caribbean island, after all. But in my experience, mosquitoes aren’t actually the worst offenders.
The ones that drive me crazy are the gnats (or no-see-ums as we say in Canada), and the famous sand fleas.
After years of living and visiting the island, I have found the solution that keeps me enjoying the sand and (mostly) itch free! Here are my tips to surviving the bugs in Roatan.
Are Mosquitoes Bad in Roatan?
There are definitely mosquitoes in Roatan, although I’ve personally never found them overwhelmingly bad.
That said, mosquitoes are the bugs you should take most seriously from a health perspective. Especially if you are staying in the East End or in a heavily mangroved area.
Dengue is present in Honduras, and the CDC currently lists Roatan and the other Bay Islands as malaria transmission areas. Travellers should talk to their doctor or a travel clinic about whether malaria medication is appropriate for their trip.
For mosquitoes, I use a proper insect repellent. I prefer natural repellents, and there are some great ones made on the island. But if you are worried, use stronger stuff like DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD. These are the most common active ingredients recommended for mosquito protection.
If you’re going to be diving or snorkelling, avoid using non reef-safe products before getting in the water.
No-See-Ums and Gnats of Roatan
The bain of my existence in Roatan are the noseeums. Even though they don’t itch for me later, they drive me absolutely mental at dusk.
Also called biting midges, they are so small that the can slip through your clothes and even screens on doors and windows.
You usually feel them biting before you see them (if you see them), and very rarely can you squish them before the damage is done.
Sand Fleas in Roatan
This is a hot topic on the island, but people tend to use the term sand fleas to refer to all the small biting insects in Roatan, like the gnats and noseeums.
Sand flies, sand fleas, gnats, midges, noseeums, they are all technically different I think we can agree to lump them all into the category of annoying tiny biters.
These buggers are small jumping bugs that live in the sand of Roatan’s beaches. So they best way to avoid them is not to sit directly on the sand, use a towel or beach chair.
The bites I get from sand flies tend to look like small red dots, sometimes with a darker red spot in the middle. Get enough of them together and you can look mildly plague-ridden for a few days.
Some friends react to these later, like a week later when you are already back home. They are nasty, so I avoid these bites at all costs!
How I Avoid Bug Bites in Roatan
The worst offenders are the tiny ones, and thankfully we have a secret weapon – oil!
Coconut oil works incredibly for me, and there are several locally made oil-based bug products available in Roatan. Even body oil or an oily sunscreen seems to help reduce the number of bites I get.
The belief is that the gnats and sand fleas can’t bite through the oil layer to get to your skin. There some research suggesting that the fatty acids in coconut oil are the repellent but honestly it works and that’s all that matters to me.
The best repellent on the island for all the biters is Nurse Andreas Waterproof Bug Repellent. It’s coconut oil based, and works like a dream for alllllll the bugs!
Plus, it smells nice, is reef safe, and natural! Also feels great on the skin.
To avoid bugs in Roatan:
- Don’t sit directly on the sand
- Use an oil-based insect repellent
- Wear long sleeves and pants in the dusk and early mornings
How to Treat Bug Bites in Roatan
Even with all my tricks, chances are some bugs are gonna get you during your stay in Roatan, here’s how to survive the itch.
Heat.
Most bug bites itch due to a protein they leave in your skin. Heat breaks down proteins, so heat can actually stop the bites from itching – forever!
I travel with a rechargeable heat pen like this one, which directs heat directly on the bite to break down the proteins.
But, if you have a lot of them, or they are in a place you can’t reach, then hot water is your answer! Get in the shower with water as hot as you can stand, and direct the water to wherever you feel itchy.
I have also used a hair dryer in the middle of the night when the itching was making me crazy! Whatever you can find, works. Just be careful not to burn your skin. You don’t need new problems.
Some other trick you can try:
- washing the bites with soap and water
- applying a cold compress if they’re swollen
- hydrocortisone cream
- allergy medication, topical and tablet
- sting relief gel
- after-bite pen
Try your best not to scratch them, if you break the skin you can scar and that sucks.
Are Bugs in Roatan Really That Bad?
Honestly, they can be, but it would never stop me from visiting the island.
Some weeks and some parts of the island are buggier than others, and some people seem to be absolute magnets while others barely get bitten.
Pack a good mosquito repellent (or get a locally made one), bring something oily for the no-see-ums, cover up in the evenings and don’t sit directly in the sand.
One important exception: if you develop a fever or feel genuinely sick during or after your trip, don’t write it off as a reaction to bug bites. Mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue and malaria occur in Honduras, so seek medical advice and tell your healthcare provider that you’ve recently travelled to Roatan.
There is no perfect paradise in the world. Those annoying little bites? Those are just part of tropical island life.
