Insects and animals in Phuket

Thai cockroaches in Phuket

Walking along the streets of Phuket in the evening you can easily see giant cockroaches on the paths, don't be alarmed. You won't see them in the midday heat as they hide from the sun in their shelters. They appear after sunset. It happens that these cockroaches in a few centimetres can crawl directly on your table in a cafe or bar. Of course you can use cockroach remedies at any time, they are sold in any supermarket.

Mosquitoes in Phuket

Mosquitoes or mosquitoes are quite plentiful here, the closer you get to nature, the greater their numbers. Stock up on special products that will repel them. Otherwise, through mosquito bites, you risk catching fever here! Dengue, which is not fatal if treated, but it is tolerable. Just in case, study its symptoms to detect it. The initial symptoms are similar to the flu or cold: fever, cough, vomiting and abdominal pain, enlarged lymph nodes, and weight loss. If it is detected, always go to the hospital. The disease is curable and lasts 1-2 weeks. There are few mosquitoes during the day, and their peak begins in the evenings. Be sure to install mosquito nets on the windows.

Centipedes in Phuket

They are found almost everywhere here and their variety is frightening. Of different colours, sizes and shapes, most millipedes are harmless. Unfortunately, there are some species that contain venom and you risk getting a painful ulcer if bitten. Venomous species have a stinger, which can cause a painful wound. Be careful when holidaying in nature or walking in the park.

Scorpions in Phuket

Thai scorpions are not as scary as African scorpions. As their sting causes immediate death, but in Phuket, a scorpion sting can only give you dangerous allergies. If you are lucky, the site of the scorpion sting will only itch badly. But not all of them are so safe. The size of the sting and claws can tell you whether the scorpion is poisonous. In venomous ones, the sting will be larger in proportion to the claws. As the Thai saying goes, "The safest scorpion is one fried with olive oil!" And yes, if you are stung by a scorpion, seek medical attention immediately.

Ants in Phuket

Ants are not the most pleasant of neighbours. These tiny creatures can cause a lot of trouble. And in Phuket, they can also be painful to bite. It's easier to prevent them than to deal with them later. So don't leave food out in the open. Keep it either in the fridge or in an airtight container. Use cleansers when cleaning from ants, as well as special insect pencils. Get rid of debris at once. It is better to lubricate the places of ant bites with alcohol tinctures, if you are prone to allergies, then take anti-allergenic means. If it gets worse, see a doctor.

Caterpillars in Phuket

Caterpillars in Phuket are small, brightly coloured insects that have fuzz on their bodies. These fine hairs that come off serve as a defence mechanism. These caterpillars are very fussy with a bad temper. Do not touch any brightly coloured animals in this exotic country. Otherwise, if you come into contact with them, you will get painful blisters on your skin with liquid inside, which will then burst painfully. Itching in these places can cause you trouble for a week. The caterpillars can crawl into your bag, on you and your clothes.

Gnats in Phuket

On the walls of unworn houses in Thailand you can find spider webs with cocoons, in which there are nests of flies, where eggs with larvae are laid. Later from them are formed unpleasant-looking worms, which later become flies. They will certainly not harm you much, but it is unpleasant to look at. You can always use a broom or hoover to remove them.

Snakes in Phuket

Unfortunately, snakes don't just live in the jungle, they can even crawl into homes or under the bonnet of a car. So how can you tell a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous snake? Phuket is home to many species of snakes, but fortunately not all of them are aggressive and venomous. There are a few distinguishing features that can be used to recognise a dangerous snake, although there are exceptions.

In venomous snakes - the head is wider than the neck, forming a triangle, and the pupils are elongated vertical (cobra is an exception), bright colour, aggressive habits. Non-poisonous ones have an oval head, and when bitten, they leave only a scratch or laceration. Venomous snakes leave two brightly coloured fang marks. The most dangerous is the king cobra, it can be six metres long. Its venom is so intense that in one bite such a cobra can kill an elephant. The good news is that it is quite rare and only found in the wild.

If you're lucky enough to meet a snake on your way: The first thing you need to do is to stop and stay still. Then begin to slowly and calmly back up to a safe distance. Remember that snakes make their attack in a big jump. Back away as far as possible. Snakes can't hear, but they can sense vibrations and respond to sudden movements. Do not try to kill the snake yourself. Many snakes will only attack when they feel threatened to themselves or their offspring. Sometimes snakes are able to play dead, do not touch, step on, or approach it. If you are bitten by a snake, do not panic, seek medical attention at the nearest hospital as a matter of urgency.

Spiders in Phuket

Thai spiders are not as venomous as scorpions. However, they are predators and their venom can be dangerous to you. They do not usually attack themselves, they attack when they feel threatened when their territory is invaded. After a spider bite, there is pain and inflammation and muscle spasms begin. Fortunately for visiting tourists, Phuket is not home to deadly venomous spiders, but after a bite, be sure to see a doctor and try to memorise the spider's appearance so you can describe it to the hospital.

Ticks in Phuket

In Phuket, it is easy to encounter bloodsucking parasites in parks, forests, and all kinds of vegetation. The biggest danger from them is that they can give you borreliosis or encephalitis. These nasty insects are looking for a warm-blooded organism to suckle to it, and they do it completely invisibly. Therefore, when walking in the jungle, parks, do not forget to undress and examine yourself, shake out your shoes and clothes. Ticks must be pulled out together with the head, better than a doctor, no one will do it.

Jellyfish in Phuket

Animals are rarely seen in public places for tourism, but in the water, even on the central beaches, there is much more danger. The most dangerous creature you will encounter here is jellyfish. Sometimes there are a lot of them in the sea and they all sting with different strength, it happens that they cause serious damage, and in rare cases even kill. Small children and people of age are the most defenceless before them, as well as people with heart diseases, allergies, asthma and diseases of the central nervous system. Don't panic if you are stung, just try to go straight to a trauma centre or local lifeguards. Most often jellyfish stings occur on cloudy days, as they are afraid of the sun. Therefore, it is better and safer for you to take a sea bath in clear, sunny weather. This way you can avoid encounters with these dangerous sea creatures.

Wingfish or dragon fish

A very beautiful but dangerous fish most often seen near coral reefs. Having very sharp long needles, it can hurt you badly. And in shallow waters swim sea bass, which can also injure you. Dragon fish has an amazingly beautiful and bright colouring, which is undoubtedly what attracts the attention of tourists. If you inadvertently touch its needle-rays, it can even be fatal for you, at best it will leave a wound with swelling, which will last for a week at least.

For those who like to take selfies with brightly coloured fish can end up with skeletal or respiratory paralysis. When this does happen, seek medical attention immediately. In the sea, when you meet unknown sea creatures, you need to behave with extreme caution and avoid dangerous contact. Winged whales often camouflage themselves in coral reefs and hunt in the sea as the sun sets.

Just sticking to simple rules, you will be able to avoid danger and leave only good impressions of the upcoming holiday. But not all animals and insects are so dangerous, there are also quite friendly. Phuket's distinctive tropical fauna provides ideal conditions for a rich variety of insects and animals. It is virtually impossible to visit the island without seeing some exotic creature. But be sure to remember that it can be very dangerous.