Bugs and Other Pests on Kauai: What to Expect and How to Enjoy a (Mostly) Bug Free Vacation
Spoiler alert: Hawai’i is in the tropics, so a completely bug free vacation won’t be possible, but with a little bit of due diligence you can keep unwanted creepy crawlies out of sight and out of mind! Here we’re going to go over common pests you may encounter on island, and ways to keep them at bay. Regular pest control is, of course, the most effective strategy, which is where we come in, but sometimes we may accidentally invite these many-legged friends into our temporary homes. Read on for what critters to look out for, and tips and tricks to reduce the likelihood of an invasion!
Cockroaches
From left to right the American cockroach, German cockroach, and less common Suriname burrowing cockroach.
To start with, we have the illustrious cockroach. A tried and true pest even on the mainland, cockroaches love warm, wet environments like those found across the Hawaiian islands. While they might not be quite as big a problem on the sunny South side of Kauai, they can definitely cause trouble. There are two common species of cockroach that you may encounter on Kauai: the large, flying American cockroach (affectionately nicknamed the B-52), and the smaller, non-flying German cockroach. American cockroaches prefer warm, wet environments that are full of bacteria-laden things for them to eat, which means they’ll typically be found outside in rotting tree trunks and leaves, or inside the home under kitchen sinks and behind rotten floorboards. German cockroaches, on the other hand, will eat just about everything, and are more likely to be seen scuttling around kitchen counters and dining tables. The best way to avoid inviting either cockroach to share your condo is to make sure you don’t leave food out on the counters, especially uncovered, never leave food scraps in kitchen sink traps, and take the trash out regularly. Keeping your space tidy is a big help as well, since leaving things lying around creates potential hiding spots for the roaches. We treat all of our rentals every quarter, so if you see a dead cockroach it means the pest control treatment is working! If you see even one live cockroach, though, let us know immediately so we can schedule targeted pest control to address the issue.
Centipedes
Although far less common a sight than cockroaches, you may still encounter centipedes on Kauai, especially outdoors. Like roaches, centipedes prefer dark and damp environments, however they’re much less likely to wander indoors. If you do see a centipede inside, the odds are good that it simply got lost, and would like to return to the outside as much as you want it to! The easiest way to keep centipedes out is by keeping screen doors shut, even when you’re hanging out at home, that way you can enjoy the breezes and not surprise guests.
Spiders
A Hawaiian happy face spider with its smiley markings on display.
Like cockroaches, spiders are a ubiquitous bug, and there are two main species found on the island. One is the garden spider which, as the name implies prefers to spin its web outdoors, and the other is the Hawaiian happy face spider. If you do see a Hawaiian happy face, it’ll be in a high corner of the ceiling, and is probably eating a bunch of other bugs you don’t want in your house anyways! You may also catch a glimpse of the large brown cane spider, which doesn’t spin webs and instead hunts for bugs on the ground. Cane spiders are the most likely to interact with people, but they prefer to run away rather than attacking, so if you see one it won’t be for long. Much like centipedes, the easiest way to keep spiders out is just by keeping screen doors shut, and making sure window screens are in good repair. If you notice any torn window or lanai screens, let us know.
Mosquitos
While mosquitos are definitely present on Kauai, they don’t typically pose a huge problem. Especially if your vacation plans include lots of beach days, you likely won’t have much of an issue. Of course, on the North Shore where it’s rainier and the vegetation is denser, your chances of getting bitten are higher, and even more so if you plan on being in the forested areas like those along the Kalalau Trail. Mosquito activity is much higher at night, so if you plan on being outside after sunset, pack bug spray or a lightweight coverup to protect your arms and legs. Mosquitos often get tracked inside when we enter and exit, so making sure to keep doors shut can help reduce the chances of inviting one inside.
Gnats
There’s a running joke that every year on Kauai brings a different plague of bugs. If you’ve been on island recently, you’ll know that this year’s plague is tiny black gnats. They pop up everywhere in swarms, and are small enough to slip through mesh window screens. Traditional bug sprays are no deterrent, either. The good news is that they are completely harmless, just incredibly annoying. The bad news is that running into some gnats is basically inevitable. You can greatly reduce their numbers by turning off any unneeded lights that may attract them after dark, and turning ceiling fans on to keep air moving in the room since the gnats are very weak fliers.
Geckos
Two gold dust day geckos with their bright colors on display.
If you’ve been on the island before, you definitely came across the adorable green geckos with brightly colored red and blue accents! These little guys, known as gold dust day geckos, are actually a huge help when it comes to controlling bug populations, and don’t pose any threat at all. Their diet includes all the other bugs that you don’t want to encounter, and they should be gently escorted back outdoors if found inside your condo. You can sweep the geckos out with a broom or use a plastic cup to trap and release them if their presence is unwelcome, and as always keeping the screen doors shut will reduce this likelihood.
Wanting to avoid all these unpleasant critters is totally understandable, but it can also be kind of exciting to be on vacation in a totally different environment from what you’re used to! The natural environment of the islands is one of the things that makes Hawai’i stand out as a destination for visitors, and even the creepy little bugs are an important part of that ecosystem. The next time you visit we encourage you to get curious about your surroundings, and even try identifying the spider before whacking it with the broom!
