Hawaiian Pests: How to Handle Biting and Stinging Insects and Critters in Hawaii

If you are thinking about moving to Hawaii or if you are planning a Hawaiian vacation, you should prepare yourself for some of the stinging and biting insects and other pests that are commonly found in the Hawaiian islands. Many of them may be very different from what you are used to at home and some can be downright sneaky. Make sure to prepare yourself before coming to the islands of paradise.

Centipedes

Centipedes are probably the worst thing that you will have to deal with in Hawaii, so if they don't bother you that much, take heart. It probably will not get much worse. These little many-legged assailants absolutely terrify the bejeezus out of me and are probably the only thing that ever made me reconsider my move here.

Hawaiian centipedes can grow quite large - up to one foot in length and one to two inches wide. The majority of the large centipedes, however, rarely get over eight inches long (though that is more than enough for most people). They can get through any size crack in a building and though they are most commonly seen on ground floors, they will sometimes make their way several floors up.

There are many kinds of centipedes in Hawaii that range in a variety of colors, mainly red, blue, and yellow. The stings of the red centipedes tend to be the least painful and the stings of the lovely neon blue centipedes are the worst. Blue centipedes rarely get to a large size, so if you see one of the larger bugs, it will most likely be the red variety.

The worst thing about Hawaiian centipedes is probably not their size or even their sting, but the way they can whip across a floor, wall or (eep!) even ceiling with amazing speed. Truly, I don't think I've ever seen anything move as fast or as eerily as a centipede.

The business end of the centipede is the front end, not the rear. They have scary-looking protuberances at their back end that serve to confuse predators into thinking it is the head. Instead, centipedes have sharp poisonous mandibles just behind their real head that they use for stinging their prey - or unwary bare feet.

Centipedes cannot be killed by stepping on them, running them over with your car tire (I've tried) or spraying them. This will only serve to anger them further. Local Hawaiians claim that the only way to kill a centipede is to cut it up into many pieces with a very sharp knife or shovel. This may not always work, however, and the head end may scrabble away and continue to live. My method of dealing with them involves catching them in a Tupperware container, driving them far away (ten or twenty miles is good) from my home and releasing them.

Centipede stings can range from very painful (about as bad as a bee sting) to excruciating (locals say it feels like a gunshot wound) and there is little that can be done to deal with them. Local doctors and hospitals will not do much to treat the sting unless a serious allergic reaction occurs. The best way to deal with a centipede is to do it yourself. The Hawaiian remedy is to mash an aspirin with a little water and make it into a paste, then apply it to the wound.

Centipedes are nocturnal and blind, so they don't know the difference between a nice warm rock and a nice warm human foot. Most centipede stings occur in bed when the creature has crawled under the blankets looking for warmth or food. To prevent centipede stings, wear house slippers with a thong, not the slip-on types when walking around the house in the dark at night. When sleeping, be sure that your bed does not touch the wall and keep all blankets off of the floor. Try to choose a bed that has legs instead of sleeping on mattresses directly on the floor.

Always shake out your clothing and shoes before putting them on. Many people get stung when getting dressed or when putting on their shoes. Be extra careful at night and shake out your bedding before getting into bed. Centipedes have been known to crawl under blankets and into pillow cases.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are the most common and most annoying pest in the Hawaiian islands. They can breed like crazy here in the warm weather and are not deterred by cooler winter weather. Some days, you won't see a single one, while other days, they may be thick as clouds. Be sure to bring a mosquito net if you plan on sleeping outside.

Be sure to bring plenty of mosquito repellant with you. Don't think you can use any natural remedies. They won't work. My husband and I have tried every type of product on the market including natural oil blends and neem oil. Hawaiian mosquitoes seem to think it's basting sauce.

If you absolutely MUST use a natural repellant, the only one that does work is white vinegar. All you need to do is spray the vinegar onto your exposed skin and rub it in. You will smell horrible for the first ten minutes, but once the vinegar evaporates, you will not be able to smell it at all and the mosquitoes won't touch you.

Scorpions

Hawaii does have scorpions, though they are fairly rare and you are unlikely to encounter one on your visit here. Still, it's best to be cautious. Hawaiian scorpions are not dangerous, but their sting can be painful. Treat the stings as you would treat a centipede sting and be sure to shake out all clothing and bedding before using it.

Bees and Wasps

Just like anywhere else, Hawaii has its share of bees and wasps. Be sure that you do not wear perfumes when outside as some can attract flying critters.

Cone Shell Mollusk

One very dangerous little Hawaiian creature that you are unlikely to hear about is the cone shell mollusk. This little snail-like creature lives in the ocean in a pretty little cone-shaped seashell. The danger in this little animal lies in his shell. Children and adults who see this shell may be enticed to pick it up.

Quick as you please, a little tendril will shoot out and sting the person's had, inflicting an incredibly painful sting that can be fatal. Cone shell mollusks are no reason to stay out of the ocean, but be careful which seashells you pick up from the ocean floor. If you are stung by a cone shell mollusk, seek medical attention immediately.

Man-O-War

The man-o-war is a little creature closely related to the jellyfish. They are unable to swim and will, instead, float on the surface of the water and let themselves be blown by the wind while their long tendrils hang down in the water.

Most people do not get stung by man-o-wars in the water as they are quite visible. When these little creatures wash up on the beach, they are likely to be unseen in the surf and can inflict stings to those who are walking along in the water and not paying attention.

Man-o-war sting are rare, but if you should encounter one, the sting can be treated (are you ready for this?) by urinating on it. It's really not as disgusting as it sounds. Ammonia and ammonia-based products such as Windex will also work. White vinegar is also a good cure. It is a good idea to carry a very small bottle of white vinegar with you to the beach for this reason and also because it is a wonderful disinfectant that can be used on any minor scrapes and cuts.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish are not uncommon in Hawaii, but you are unlikely to see them during a short trip here. Our islands commonly see box jellyfish, but they are not the dangerous Australian box jellies you may have heard of. Still, they can inflict a painful sting. Stay out of the water when the news broadcasts a jellyfish warning (they wash up only at certain times of the month according to the lunar cycle) and treat the sting the same way you would a man-o-war sting.

Lionfish

Lionfish are beautifully striped brown-and-white or orange-and-white tropical fish with large protruding fan-shaped fins. These fish are poisonous and very dangerous, but will not attack people. You are in no danger if you see one, just make sure not to grab at them.

Sea Urchins

Sea urchins are not poisonous, but if stepped on, they can hurt like mad. Be sure to watch your step when walking on submerged rocks in the ocean. These little pincushion-like creatures like to cling to rocky bottoms in the ocean, but will not stay in the sand.