Dealing with the Reality of Bugs and Pests on Your Tropical Vacation
You’ve sat up late at night looking at the photos of your gorgeous beachfront luxury vacation rental in Maui, the Big Island, Jamaica, or some other lush, green, and balmy tropical paradise. The pictures of the home are enticingly bright and cheery, staged with wine and cheese on the patio and bubbles in the Jacuzzi. But wait, what’s that little thing crawling in the corner over there in that otherwise perfect tropical scene?
Tropical climates are a draw for all of us who live in more temperate zones. When the days get short and the temps drop, being able to rent a vacation home or hotel room in some ever-sunny tropical destination offers a welcome break from the drab days of winter.
But certain realities come with visiting these sunnier and warmer climes. Whether you are renting a five-bedroom luxury beachfront home in Maui or an epic gated Caribbean villa in Jamaica or St. Martin, you will likely see or have to deal with creepy crawlies (aka pests) sharing your space at some point during your stay.
Pests are just a fact of life in the tropics. Your lawn may be perfectly manicured, your floors and surfaces impeccably clean, and your sheets soft and plush, but make no mistake—you are not alone.
Costa Rica Bug Blizzard
Once, my family and I rented a beautiful, fully-staffed vacation villa in Costa Rica. The home was impeccably maintained and had live-in chefs as well as bar and cleaning staff. It was an amazing place, with a large yard surrounded by lush tropical foliage.
One evening, after a rain, the home was inundated by flying insects. There were so many swarming around the house that it looked like a blizzard in the outside lights. The bugs covered the veranda and more than a few made it inside before we locked everything down. But they were gone the next day for the most part.
There were also giant lizards and other funky creatures slinking about, but again, this just came with the territory, and we carried on and had a great time.
Good Luck Geckos - Not All Invadors Are Bad
Most tropical places typically have lizards or geckos that sometimes love to hang around house walls. You should know that a gecko in the home is considered good luck in many places, probably because they eat bugs. So don’t shoo them out if you notice one scampering up a wall while watching TV. Look at him as a protector of the fort.
There is No 100% Protection from Pests
Luxury vacation homes represented by reputable vacation rental agencies like Exotic Estates are vetted and cleaned from top to bottom after, and sometimes during, each visit, depending on the length of the stay. Of course, from time to time, the homes are also treated for pests. However, no matter how much care the property manager gives the property, it will not eliminate the possibility of few visitors.
Consider that many homes come with outdoor pools and patio areas that flow seamlessly into the interior living spaces. As you enjoy the ease and pleasure of indoor/outdoor living, so too do the little critters who make the yard and landscape their home.
Weather Can Impact the Amount of Pests
Sometimes, if there is unusually wet and damp weather, you will find more bugs hanging around. Almost everyone who has ever traveled or lived in a tropical place has experienced turning on a light in a dark room, only to find a giant insect sitting out in the open, staring right back at you. Most vacation home managers have even fielded frantic calls from guests who are not used to seeing tropical insects, which can be large, but there is little we or anyone can do. The manager can set up traps or spray, but truthfully, it simply comes with the territory.
There have been cases when unusually wet weather has also lead to a boom in the mouse population in an area. In these cases, one house can seem overrun while another nearby barely sees any increased presence at all. It’s pretty random, and if there is a serious issue, traps will be laid, and pest management firms will be called. But often, these scenarios are unforeseen and managed on the fly. A home can be fine when it’s inspected, and the next day, it can be overrun when a guest arrives for check-in.
Know the Terms of Your Contract
Most vacation rental contracts include a clause that specifically addresses pests and states that the appearance of pests does not warrant a refund or termination of the contract. This is simply because it is out of the manager’s control. Bugs, lizards, and even little field mice are a normal part of life in many places, and the people who live there accept them as a price of living in paradise.
Hence it is essential that you read and understand the terms of your agreement, as this will be final. You can ask for help in the form of a trap or perhaps some spray, but you will not get a refund.
A Benefit of Working with Agencies - We Want You Happy
A benefit of working with an agency like Exotic Estates rather than going directly to an owner is our collection of vetted homes. Sometimes, if you are very unhappy, or if an unusually “buggy” situation happens, your agency may be able to arrange (pending the cooperation of the owner) a move to another similarly priced property in the area. Be mindful that they are under no legal obligation to do so but will always try their best to assist as a matter of customer service and goodwill. Nobody wants you to leave unsatisfied or feel you did not receive the best service possible given any circumstance.
Facts of Tropical Life
Basically, when you rent a vacation home in a tropical place, even the most luxurious vacation villa, you may encounter a bug or two.
The bug can be a cute grasshopper or a scary-looking centipede. Usually, they pose no danger and are just a nuisance, but they can startle and will typically scamper off before you have to deal with them.
The bottom line is when you sign a contract to rent a home, you essentially agree to become a resident in that place for the duration of your vacation, and that means accepting the realities of the ecosystem there, whether it be a beautiful songbird or a funky looking bug waiting for you on the veranda.
For most of us, a week in paradise is worth the price of a few buggy moments!