For some the thought of coming across a centipede the size of a ruler or hairy baboon spider is enough to send them running. If you’re visiting Africa anytime soon you might want to get clued up on a few of the insects and arachnids that you might come across on your travels.
The African baboon spider is a hairy arachnid that is found mostly in Southern Africa. There are about 42 known species and can be anything from 15mm to 90mm in body size. They come in black, brown, grey and yellow and are often found in mountainous areas. They live on the ground and eat anything from ants and beetles to other spiders and even scorpions. They can give a nasty bite and are venomous so it’s best to steer clear of them as much as possible. Don’t panic if you find one in your home; you can easily take them outside by gently placing a glass cup over the spider and slowly sliding a piece of cardboard under the rim of the cup. Baboon spiders don’t move very quickly so you can release it back into the bush without the fear that it’s going to come back and bite you on the ankle.
The Malaria Fly is infamous for its capacity to spread the Malaria disease. It is found in tropical and sub-tropical areas of Africa and with the right safety measure you can travel safe in the knowledge that you will avoid getting Malaria. You should visit your general doctor before traveling to Africa and speak to him and her about Malaria precautions. There are prophylactic tablets that you can ingest to reduce your risk of catching the infection, however your best bet is to avoid contact with the mosquito as much as possible. Invest in a sleeping net that you can place above your bed at night to keep the insects away and make sure you take ample bug repellant. A popular one in South Africa is Tabard Insect Repellant but ask your GP which is the best brand for your skin type.
The driver ants of Africa are a nasty bunch of insects if they want to be. Because of their small size and sheer number their defense mechanism to bite their opponent can be quite painful and frustrating. It is difficult to avoid the tiny creatures as they are prominent all over the world but the best way to avoid the painful bites is to wear good, closed hiking boots and steer clear of ant hills. While most ant bites affect humans mildly it’s important to monitor anyone who has experienced a number of the bites as there have been a rare occasion or two when a person reacts badly to the little critters.
The African insect kingdom is a vast and interesting one. If you feel a bit nervous about visiting the continent because of all the beetles, spiders and other insects maybe invest in a guide book on bugs in Africa. That way you’ll be able to determine quite quickly if the spider in your tent is venomous or simply friendly.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
