Insects of Nepal

Wherever you go, the local people know what to avoid and what’s not a problem. Insects are one of those things. They are life forms and fellow earthlings, so please be gentle with them. Just like humans, they just want to live their lives in peace.

If you come to Nepal you may have some reservations due to the insects and other natural critters. Here in the Kathmandu Valley there really aren’t any insects you need to really worry about, although there is a yellow caterpillar that can cause quite an irritation, which I haven’t heard of any tourists to be effected.

There is little to worry about here in the Kathmandu Valley, but I have to disclose a neighbor in the village where I lived got bit by a spider on his big toe and it caused pain and swelling all the way up to his groin. He was in a village home without a good floor or even glass in the windows.

Insects can be pretty scary, but they are so important for life on our planet. Scientists say that if just the bees die we will also; that’s how important they are for life on our planet.

No, I don’t like them to crawl on me or anything, but I sure do admire them from afar.

To understand just how the insects will affect you, you’ll need to realize that Nepal has 3 very different climates. First, Chitwan is in the flat elevation like people think of as India. You really can’t tell just where Nepal ends and India begins and it’s full of all kinds of problematic critters-from the very small insects to the occasional wild bull elephant. If you go to Chitwan be sure to bring a pair of binoculars. The birds and wildlife are amazing there.

Then, there is a more temperate climate like in the Kathmandu Valley. It’s great for farming. Although there have been reports of Dengue fever even in the higher elevations, there isn’t a big likelihood that you’ll be affected by it unless you are volunteering and living where people have it, usually by the river or at the hospitals.

Then there is the higher country where there really isn’t a need to worry at all about insects, but be sure to keep your distance from the larger animals, such as cows and mountain cats.

If you go to Chitwan you will need to take a few precautions or at least heighten your awareness about insects. Here are a few tips for you to consider.

1. If you have an aversion to insects or an outright fear you’ll want to stay in a bit better guesthouse and stay as high up as you can-3-4th floor will make a big difference.

2. You can have your guesthouse staff check your room with you in the evening. You will need to lift the bed up to check for spiders and snakes. Yes, if you are staying in a resort with the thatch roof you will need to check under your bed nightly.

3. Use a sleeping bag liner to help keep insects and spiders away from you in bed. You can find them in Thamel or just about anywhere they sell trekking supplies.

Ants: Interestingly, we are not bothered by fire ants here in the Kathmandu Valley. Although originally from Africa, these aggressive ants are difficult to avoid in many parts of the US.

3:27 in the video: Unfortunately, this blue bee got lost in our apartment and I was unable to get a good video of him. These are rare and beautiful, so I’m including her.

2:47 in the video: This beetle was about 4 inches long. We also have some smaller ones that buzz around the lights and bang into walls. They are fun to watch and completely harmless.

5:55 on the video: If you do hiking during the monsoon season you may get one of these leeches on you. Don’t worry if you do. They are gross but perfectly harmless.

Mosquito: If you are concerned about Malaria or Dengue Fever check out the video on that subject for more information. 

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Guest Blog: A Deadly Trek in Nepal

My name is Evan and I've volunteered to add a post here about trekking in Nepal.  I can't be considered an expert since I've only done two treks here but this October I was involved in the worst (deadliest) trekking disaster in Nepal in 45 years.

My wife, Lisa, and I spent 10 days trekking the Annapurna circuit from Besi Sahar to the High Camp just below the 5400 meter Thurong La pass.  The evening before we planned to cross, it began to snow. Unbeknownst to us, there was the terrible storm, Hudhud, that had recently ravaged part of the Indian coastline and we were experiencing a bit of it as it moved inland and north.  Without any phones or internet for over a week, we didn't know that what began as a light snowfall would turn into a devastating blizzard with deadly consequences.

Altitude Sickness-Yes, it’s a big deal

I had originally submitted this article to Zen Treks and had made an agreement to do some work for them. However, I sent them a note to clarify what they expected from me and never heard anything back. Whether or not this actually got published on their site or not, I do not know, but its my work so I am putting it here, where it may actually get read.

One in five trekkers experiences it to one degree or another. It can even be fatal, yet many trekking companies do nothing to warn their customers about it, so I am happy to write about this very serious subject. Rather than recant lists that you really must read, this article will help you to be more aware of altitude sickness and hopefully motivate you to do your due diligence. I also have a few tips of my own you will want to keep in mind.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to honor your own personal body. No one knows it better than you do, but do you really love and support your body? We’ve all felt ill while in the middle of something that we felt we could not abandon. We call it ‘pushing ourselves’ and it usually works pretty well. Actually, isn’t that why you want to go trekking, to push yourself to the limit? But when it comes to altitude sickness you may not, you cannot push yourself. It could be fatal to try. 

What is actually going on in your body at high altitudes? The capillaries in the body dilate and leak fluid with the reduction in oxygen. Altitude sickness isn’t something you can ignore and ‘push yourself’ through. No, your precious body is not able to overcome what altitude sickness brings. Why? We need one thing on this planet more than anything else. That one thing is oxygen and there just isn’t much of that up in the mountains at 3,000 meters in elevation. That is all you need to remember, the need for oxygen is the most crucial thing on the planet.

How are your lungs? Do you have a lung condition such as asthma? Do you smoke and disregard them in other ways? How is your heart? Does heart disease run in your family? Do you live at sea level? Have you been an ‘eggs and bacon’ kind of person with a love for butter and cheese? Really take inventory on your own, personal, human body. Seriously, even 20 year old trekkers have come into trouble over altitude sickness. And, yes, people do die from it. It can also make you more susceptible to accidents, and no one is immune. 

If you go on a group trek you may feel peer pressure to go on when your body tells you it’s time to stop. You can read all the lists and blog posts you want, and I am including a few with this article, but it has to start with this: Go with people in your own age bracket and skill level. As an older American, a woman of short stature in my late 50’s, I went trekking with two Dutch women around my age, but were 6-8 inches taller than me. Dutch? Oh my god! these people ride their bicycles in the snow! Americans get into their car and push the remote garage door button to get to work. Well, they schooled me. By the time I caught up with the group they had rested long enough to want to go on. Do not allow anyone to make you feel like you have to keep up with them. Stay focused on your body and allow it to speak to you; listen to it.

The altitude sickness lists are not rules. Keep in mind that your body is unique in how it will deal with this issue. When a thought comes to you that you had never noticed something about yourself before, it is likely that it is the beginnings of altitude sickness. It might even be something that wasn’t on any of the lists. Tell someone. Stop and drink water-a lot of water. Dehydration will actually make the symptoms worse. One blog post listed below suggested a very strong correlation between altitude sickness and dehydration as if the two go together. I like the author’s idea to monitor urination to be at least every two to three hours. 

Before you go on the trek have a discussion with your trekking group and guide. If one person needs to slow down how will it be handled? Note the attitude of the group. The problem can also become an issue when activities are scheduled too closely together. Always allow a few extra days prior to your departure flight. No one wants to be the one to cause the group to miss the next activity, so it is probably best to keep your schedule as free as possible to make adjustments.

These trekkers are helping each other with back issues.

Bring envelopes of electrolytes, like you would take after diarrhea. Drink one each day to keep yourself hydrated and healthy. Some of the brands are not very tasty, so try them prior to your trek to make sure you can drink it.  One study showed that ibuprofen, or Advil/Motrin can help to keep you symptom free (See link below).
 

If you decide not to take a porter for yourself, consider hiring someone from one of the villages you will pass through if you feel it will help you. That means you will need to bring a bit of extra cash with you. Contingency planning is key.

I would suggest renting a walking stick in Thamel because one of the symptoms is lack of coordination. Bring healthy snacks for the trip and avoid things that tax your body and can dehydrate you like processed foods, caffeine and alcohol. If you have asthma or another health challenge that makes you a higher risk for altitude sickness issues, don’t let it stop you from coming to Nepal. There are many treks at lower elevations that can be both challenging and rewarding. Additionally, even if you have more severe physical challenges, your quality trekking company can provide alternative transportation so you can enjoy Nepal, too. Nepal has something amazing to show you, regardless of your age or health. 

Here are a few links on the subject:

http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Altitude-Sickness

http://healthland.time.com/2012/03/20/ibuprofen-can-prevent-altitude-sickness/#ixzz2N0J7aV4y)

http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/106686

Photos: Complements of Sven Shuster, Germany 

About the author: Amanda Summers is an American widow who’s come to Nepal to enjoy her retirement years. Her mission, borne out of her love for this amazing country, is to encourage more Westerners to come to Nepal. Her goal is to help others experience Nepal more fully so each will return and bring friends. Learn more at https://WhatAboutNepal.org
 

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. These suggestions mentioned above are only suggestions. Please use your own discretion and remember your health is your own responsibility, especially in Nepal.

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Coming to Nepal During Monsoon-Landslides?

People ask me about coming to Nepal during the summer time in regard to landslides. I’ve never really heard much complaining because everyone who comes here seems to be so excited about being here. My concern is usually for the weather patterns in the Kathmandu Valley, which is usually quite manageable. Sometimes it rains all night or all day, but most of the time it rains for ten minutes or so at a time if it's a heavy downpour. That usually means it's tea time. I just duck into a local tea spot and make the most of it. Other times everyone just huddles under the eaves. It usually doesn't take long to let up enough for everyone to move on.

“Landslides can be triggered by earthquakes, volcanic activity, changes in groundwater, a disturbance or change of slope. Intense rainfall over a short period of time tends to trigger shallow, fast-moving mud and debris flows. Slow, steady rainfall over a long period of time may trigger deeper, slow-moving landslides. Different materials behave differently, too, ” according to TechMediaNetwork. http://www.livescience.com/32373-what-is-a-landslide.html Certainly mountainous terrain such as these photos show give you an indication of why landslides could occur; there is nothing to hold the soil.

Cattle and other animals on the trail should be approached with extreme caution.

The US and Canada have some huge landslides as does any country where they have mountainous terrain. Volcanoes, earthquakes and monsoons all contribute to this problem and because Nepal has one of the biggest differences in elevation, 70 meter in the Terai to Mt. Everest at over 8,800 meters, its ideal terrain for landslides. Not only do the vast changes in elevation contribute to the problem, lack of infrastructure and the heavy rains of the monsoon make matters much worse in Nepal. Additionally, we have the usual deforestation issues, some strip mining for brick production, a growing human population, etc. that also can contribute. Fortunately, the Nepali government earns enough from tourism that they are making an effort to keep Nepal beautiful. Be careful to follow all the environmental laws while you are trekking. They are really serious about them.

A few months ago a couple of tourist friends went to Eastern Nepal. They were both horrified as they looked out the public bus window to the terrain below. Not only are landslides a possible danger for those riding on buses, but riding on public buses is an act of bravery in itself. They are notorious for breaking down or going over the cliffs. I suggest inspecting the bus before you get on. Check the tires and overall condition. There are many buses leaving everyday so you never have to accept the first bus you see. Some look to be older than the majority of passengers while others. Many buses were not luxury from the start, but for the same price you can choose a much newer bus with high-back seats and extra leg room. Seriously, if you are taking the public bus instead of a ‘tourist’ bus you will need to do the best you can to get a well maintained, newer, higher end bus.

Yes, this is a goat on the bus.

Notice these seats. This bus would be very uncomfortable.

If you come to Nepal during the summer months you will need to be aware of the landslide issue. When you are ready to go outside the valley for your trekking you should check the weather and make sure it isn’t a heavy rain climate system. If you use a trekking company you should hold your ground and be sure to synchronize your trek to the weather pattern. If you need to wait a day or two to start the trek, so be it. Do not allow the trekking company’s need to earn money to manipulate you into doing a trek if the weather looks like it will make landslides more likely. 

Just because it’s monsoon it doesn’t mean a landslide is all that likely, but if it is during the heart of the monsoon, with nothing but clouds and rain for several days it makes landslides much more likely. There are only about 30 landslides likely in Nepal each year, so you should be proactive so as not to encounter one.Try this link from Nepal: A Tourist's Manual:

  http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Kathmandu+Nepal+NPXX0002

Thanks to Sven Shuster, Germany, for the photos. 
 

Did you know I wrote an eBook filled with tips on getting the most out of your visit to Nepal?

Satisfaction Guaranteed: NO FINE PRINT. If you don't truly love Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual, please send for 100% money back. If you are not completely satisfied just send your purchase information along with a note to: FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com

Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual-For more information check out our website. If you enjoy this blog and the website you will enjoy the 299 page eBook. It is a well illustrated, easy read with over 1,000 tips to help you get the most out of Nepal.

Visit my website: Nepal: A Tourist's Manual