We're planning a trip in the spring to the Carribbean and I must admit I'm terrified of <BR>cockroaches. Is this something you just have to expect and accept in a tropical resort, no matter how clean, or are they generally absent in a good resort? <BR>

I've seen far more cockroaches vacationing in South Carolina than I have ever seen in the Caribbean. Other than a few skeeters and some weird bugs in our room in Curacao that crunched when you walked on them on your way to the bathroom at night, I don't believe I've encountered many bugs period.

Kathy, I've been to the carribbean many times, and I don't remember seeing any (and I don't like them either). A good sign is to see Gekkos - small lizards -- to them, a cockroach is like a Milk Dud. The primary bugs that I do see are ants. They call them busy ants because they are FAST. They don't sting however, so are more of a nuisance than anything. I've stayed primarily at private villas, and almost all of them have weekly exterminators that take care of most bugs. If you do stay in a villa, put all food away. Even boxes of cereal we put in the oven or microwave or fridge. Good luck. <BR> <BR>- Jim

Hi Kathy: <BR> <BR>I've been to five islands (Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, St. Martin) and I have never seen one cockroach. I've seen tiny ants once.

Me neither. Not one. <BR>

I sure hope and pray that when I finally go to the Caribbean again I won't encouter roaches...I've got plenty in my apartment and my building, I have no interest in seeing foreign roaches!

Don't come to Texas, in the fall we have thousands of dead bugs (that look like roaches) in front of any commercial lights! Have never seen any in (to speak of) in Cozumel, Cancun, Maui or Aruba. Really, bugs are sometimes a natural part of the habitat and not a sign of uncleanliness. Pet a gekko and enjoy!

We just got back from Antigua and St.Lucia. Did not encounter any cockroaches you will be pleased to hear. There were a few ants but nothing too annoying. Mosquitoes were more of a problem in St Lucia, they seemed to be attracted by our insect repellent. <BR> <BR>Hope you have a good time <BR> <BR>Steve

lol@ "pet a gekko". Reminds me that NYC talk-show host Jay Diamond had a caller who told of tying a gekko to a chair or something like that to control the roaches in her apt.!

<BR>In our Florida home, we had cockroaches and a ongoing contract with an exterminator. <BR>They're a fact of life in the US south, no matter how "clean" one's house is. In our Montserrat home, the only roaches we ever saw came out of boxes we had shipped down from Miami! Oh yes, I also saw one in 1987 in our hotel in Barbados. Considering the many years we've been travelling to the Caribbean, that isn't much. <BR>The tiny ants are something else, but you just have to be careful to put your food away.

I have made many many trips to the Caribbean, most of them to Barbados, and have seen the dreaded palmetto bugs on several occasions. But most of these "sightings" have been in less than ideal locations - not in the nicer hotels that I've been staying at in recent years. Mostly in local beach bars at night, lesser hotels, etc. Have a great time.

They CAN be in so-called "better" resorts too. The worst was La Source in <BR>Grenada. Went in June 1994 & had to move rooms 3 times because the huge roaches were all over the rooms. I couldn't relax there for the week because of the bugs. Never experienced this in the other islands I've been to.

With all this about geckoes, I have to tell you guys that I just discovered <BR>this great 'Hawaiiana' site which sells adorable-looking plush, stuffed- <BR>island-critters, including a geckoe and a Humuhumunukunukuapua'a fish (no, <BR>I haven't tried to prounouce it yet!). for only $6.99 each. They also have <BR>children's books, including one called: "The Gecko Who Wanted To Be <BR>Different". Other things they sell include island snack treats, a pocket <BR>Hawaiian dictionary and other assorted souveniers. Check it out and let me <BR>know what you think: <BR> <BR>http://alohagoodies.com <BR> <BR>I didn't see any plush roaches or mosquitoes :0) <BR>(but I recall that when I was young kid I drew a picture of a roach once!)

Since my above post really takes this off-topic, I have posted my email address above for people to reply to me. Remove 'REMOVE' to reply.