Lilongwe - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Yes. Especially during rainy season. Spiders, geckos, ants. We saw a cockroach here and there but not often and most were mainly in the kitchen area. One was able to fly. Ughh We once saw what looked like a huge tarantula but may have been a wolf spider. We rarely saw mosquitos suprisingly. Depends on what area you live in. Some areas are not bad while others have mosquitos everywhere. We used Doom (odorless) religiously and slept with nets every night. - Jul 2020
Unusual for southern Africa? Probably not. But ants, wasps, bees, spiders, moths... termite season (rainy season -- especially early in the season) makes me crazy. And there are some green flying grasshopper-like things that also seem to have a particular season in which they are everywhere. I had a white moth infestation of my yard one year. All just part of the fun. - Feb 2020
Ants...lots of ants. You just learn to live with them. I keep all my open food in airtight tupperware to keep the little guys out of the kitchen. - Sep 2018
During rainy season, ants are everywhere. There are also frequent gecko visitors in the house, but you get used to them after awhile. I haven't seen any snakes or big spiders in the house, and for that I am grateful. There are a lot fewer mosquitoes than I was expecting. It's very pleasant being out at night. - Jul 2017
Ants! and mosquitoes.... You can buy Doom and local insect sprays but during rainy season, ants are everywhere! - Oct 2016
Ants can be an issue and mosquitoes can carry malaria. Most people we know take prophylactic medication as protection from malaria and sleep under mosquito nets. - Aug 2015
Less than I expected. Mosquitos of course--and malaria is a real concern. Termites fly with the rains and make for quite a sight. Ants can come and go around the house. - Sep 2013
Mosquitoes are a big issue, with anti-malarials recommended year-round. There are a lot of ants all around the houses, and depending on the time of year there can be a lot of grasshoppers and termites. Some people have problems with big roaches in their houses, but not many. - Sep 2012
Mosquitoes, and some houses have problems with ants. - Sep 2009
Lilongwe is full of insects! It seems to be built on a gigantic ant hill. Most of the insects, though -- except the mosquitoes -- are harmless. - Jul 2009
