Are there rodents and insects in homes in Santa Cruz?

by anne
(NC)

Hey, i am moving to Santa Cruz de la sierra, and i will be in a small house in Comarapa. I was wondering, are there problems with animals in this area? Are large spiders, scorpions, snakes, very prevalent here? I just want to prepare myself if there are. I really hope i do not find any in my house :/ thanks!

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Nov 22, 2016
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Is it true
by: Anonymous

I saw a post on Facebook about a bug that if you kill it with your or foot and can cause a problem

Jul 08, 2013
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Chulupis!
by: Anonymous

I have lived in Santa Cruz for ten months, and it has honestly been an incredible experience! My family has two cats who eat any and all butterflies, moths, chulupis, and mice, chasing them and playing with them till they lie still at their feet, so we don't have a problem (only a little indigestion or hallucination after a "tasty" moth). I was really worried when I got here about mosquitoes and weird diseases, and the different kinds of bugs I would have to learn to live with, but it's really not as half as bad as I imagined! Buy yourself some bug repellent to use, but know that your sweet foreign blood will be much more tempting for the mosquitoes, so use common bug sense and don't be ashamed of chasing that mosquito down while Skyping your mom! In all honesty, the most annoying "bicho" is the troupe of tiny Argentinian Ants that I constantly battle in the kitchen....

Jan 09, 2013
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Virtual Zoo of Critters and Insects
by: Uncle Darrell

First of all there are rodents and insects almost everywhere, especially in Bolivia and more so in tropical Santa Cruz. If you are not familiar with the environment of Bolivia there are some things you need to be aware of. Rabies is epidemic in Bolivia. Santa Cruz has the highest rate in all of Bolivia followed by Cochabamba. It's not advisable to approach wild animals or stray dogs and cats. There is Chagas disease transmitted by the Kissing Bug also know locally as Vinchucas. Mosquitoes are a problem in most of the tropical and low lying areas of Bolivia and are the main carriers of Yellow Fever and Dengue. Yellow Fever is a constant problem and Dengue is emerging. Bolivia has it's own strain of Hemorrhagic fever called Machupo and is transmitted in rodent urine and droppings. Food and bread left out over night can become infected by mice which carry the virus. There are several species of poisonous snakes including rattle snakes and coral snakes. Bolivia is also the home to biting ants, scorpions, varieties of widow and recluse spiders and the Brazilian Wandering Spider also known as the Banana Spider. The Wandering Spider is one of the most deadly and aggressive spiders in the world. Best advice I can offer is get a pet cat, keep your windows screened, use insect repellent and keep a can of Baygon handy. Bolivia is a wonderful place but never forget we are on the very edge of the wilderness .

Jan 06, 2012
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Critters in Santa Cruz
by: Anonymous

Hello Anne,

I have traveled for many years to Bolivia in most all of the cities and villages and have seen all sorts of things...I am as much scared of a snake as anyone...I have only found a small lizard and an occasional spider in all of my times there...DO NOT LET THIS SCARE YOU AWAY...This country is beautiful and has so much to offer. My wife is from Santa Cruz and she has lots of family in Comarapa also many of her friends work there during the week and return to the city on w/e...it is very quiet and peaceful. Also there is good doctors in Santa Cruz and La Paz if you should need one. You can also check with American Consulate services in Santa Cruz and they can recommend a doctor. I will also be returning there feb 1 to live and cant wait. We live in KY...so for now were not that far away....have a great weekend...

Jan 06, 2012
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Yes
by: Anonymous

There are all sorts of critters...

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