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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It's Spring in Nepal! Birds are Everywhere

Soaring Eagle

Yesterday afternoon suddenly morphed into a magical time for me around my apartment. As I sat for my afternoon break, thunder began to roll across the sky constantly for a couple of minutes at a time. Seriously, no breaks during these moments, no visible lightning-just that deep growling sound from the heavens. My house guest, Razz, had mentioned that it looked like rain and I agreed. 

As I listened to the thunder I sat in my guest bedroom/den and looked out my picture window toward the farmland and shrouded the Himalayas in the distance, I noticed a bird with blue wings land on a post in a nearby farm. By the time I got my camera the bird was gone. My camera seems to be psychically connected to birds; they seem to sense it and fly away as soon as I turn it on.

As I continued to watch here came the cowbirds. They all perched on the wooden fence posts and such while they waited for the storm to pass. Then the crows came, followed by a couple other varieties, all waiting for the storm to come and go. They all sat it out so nicely. And then after about 20 minutes the rain stopped and they all went on their way. During this little afternoon break I saw a total of six different varieties of birds. Even an eagle came so close I could see the drama between the eagle and a crow that chased him off.

Last year I wrote a blog about bird watching and couldn't hardly find a bird. But since then I've become so fascinated with birds I do my best to capture one of these critters before they get away every chance I get.

This is the little bird that is so common in Bhaktapur, but I don't know the name.

If you are a fan of birds and want to deepen your appreciation for them, I highly recommend bringing a pair of binoculars with you from home and never leave them in your room. If you do, that will be the time you come across a flock of something really amazing, like a tree full of parakeets or something.

This swallow came right into the local restaurant I was eating at. In my book I advise against eating at any restaurant that does not have a normal, front door. Many restaurants just have a metal, pull-down store front. These do not always have running water, so they can be a health issue. I use a bit of my own precautions and have not had a problem with the 'Kathmandu Quick Step' for more than a year. But if you have a short time to be here don't waste your days in your guest house room to save a few rupee.You can have your guest house manager send for a doctor, or you can find a couple of referrals in Nepal: A Tourist's Manual. You can actually have a doctor come to your room for under $10.

If you would like to see a page full of birds from Nepal take a look at this site. It's just pictures: https://www.google.com.np/search?q=birds+of+Nepal&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Icn&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=akA5UbaYEMj-rAe734CQBA&ved=0CDwQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=619

I am equally as fascinated with insects. Nepal has some beautiful little guys from the insect kingdom, too. There do not seem to be many insects that tourists need to worry about, other than the mosquito in the lower elevation. They tell me that even the spiders are harmless in the KTM Valley. 

Hugest Earwig I've ever seen

Here is a bug in a rice field

This little beetle reminded me of a lady bug, also here in Nepal

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