Bugs that Bite in Belize: 2025-2026 Update

This is an update of one of my most read posts…

Summary of this entire article (for those who do not like to read) – just buy some of this BEFORE you come down to Belize – and you’ll be fine.

It’s now mid-October 2025. October is one of the rainiest months of the year in Belize – but it’s still predominantly sunny! Last week we saw 3 or 4 days of heavy showers…but this week is sunny, hot and gorgeous with a light wind. Rain brings bugs so it’s the perfect time to get into this. Let’s talk biting bugs in Belize.

Belize amazes visitors year after year with her natural gifts – our world-famous barrier reef and blue blue waters, lush jungles, incredible wildlife, and seemingly endless warm, sunny weather.

But like every tropical destination – and really, like everywhere in the world (maybe excluding Antarctica…I haven’t been there…yet) – there are insects.

If you haven’t been to Belize yet…here are my reasons why you will love it: My First-Timers Guide to Belize: What Makes Belize SO Special

When Are the Biting Bugs Biting?

In general, the biting bugs in Belize follow the seasons. Mosquitoes are most common when the rainy starts – roughly July through December – when puddles and damp low spots give them plenty of places to breed. (To generalize: Rain is more sporadic/in the night during July and August and then September, October and November can bring the bigger rains) Sand flies, on the other hand, depend more on the wind and location than the time of year. They’re worst on still mornings and evenings along calm stretches of beach, predominantly in less developed areas.

During the dry months – January to May – bug activity drops way down, and some weeks you may not see a single mosquito. But it never ever hurts to be prepared.

Note: Natural remedies and “repellants “with lemon grass, peppermint oils, etc, or home remedies like dryer sheets in your pockets or citronella stretchy wrist bands are tempting I GET IT but I find that they DO NOT WORK.

Know Yourself

Only you know how you react to bites. Are you always the first (and only) one in your family to get bitten? Do you get more bites – and itchier ones – than everyone else? Is your skin just super sensitive? Will getting a itchy mosquito bites make your vacation hellish? Don’t be a hero! You just need to be prepared and know a few things about biting insects in Belize.

Let me talk from personal experience: I’ve been living on Ambergris Caye for over 18 years – here’s my list of the biters you might meet.

The Mosquito

We ALL know the mosquito.

On Ambergris Caye and throughout Belize, they’re most active from about August through December – during and after the rains. From January to late Spring/early summer, we have almost no rain and no mosquitoes.

They love sitting water and thrive after heavy rains, especially around sunrise and sunset. You’ll notice far fewer in very developed areas like downtown San Pedro and more frequency when you move farther and farther into “the bush”.

I’m always surprised that the mainland of Belize – “the jungle” – can have way fewer mosquitos than the cayes. It all depends on where you are!

Solution #1: THE BEST REPELLENT
For years, I was convinced DEET was the only thing that truly worked. And it does work – but GOOD GRIEF I hate using it. It’s thick, oily, smells awful, and in higher percentages can melt plastic, paint, and even nail polish. Even so, I used it because it worked.

Then I discovered picaridin, and it changed my life. It’s non-greasy, has very little odor, and works just as well (if not better) than DEET. I love the lotion for all-day protection (literally 5-6 hours) and the spray for reapplication. I haven’t seen picaridin for sale in Belize, so order it ahead.

I’ve tried different brands but ALWAYS come back to Sawyers.

For the bites that sneak through: pack something anti-itch. I’ve tried everything – Benadryl cream, Cortizone-10, anti-itch pens – but the one thing that always works for me is tea tree oil. But it really really really works for me…better than the medicinal stuff.

I’m not a natural remedies only kinda gal…I want to use what works and tea tree oil works on all of my itches. Citronella, lavender, stickers, bracelets – not so much.

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Sand Flies (aka No-See-Ums)

Sand flies (or sand fleas) are tiny little nothings – also called no-see-ums or midges – that really irritate some people and hardly bother others.

For me, I feel them biting when I am in a remote beach area and there is no breeze – like tiny pin pricks. That’s all I feel…I don’t have any reaction – no bumps or itches. For others, they can be the bane of their vacation.

They’re most common on or near sandy areas that aren’t raked or well-trafficked. Beaches that are cleaned regularly (like near town or at resorts) tend to have few or none. These teeny tiny flies, like mosquitos, are most active around sunrise and sunset.

Best defense: an oily barrier. These bugs are so tiny that a layer of oil literally keeps them from biting.

Here’s where I’m would use DEET. Oily DEET spray works well – it suffocates them while keeping mosquitoes at bay. If you prefer something simpler, baby oil or coconut oil works too.

Focus especially on your feet and ankles – their favorite spot.

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Other Biting Insects

Botlass (or “Battle Ass”) Flies

These are tiny black biting flies that exist in parts of the mainland…and don’t seem to care if it is night or day. I’ve never experienced them on the cayes or near the beach but I’ve been bitten at the Belize Zoo and in the jungle near Hopkins in the south.

They go for ankles and lower legs. You might not even feel the bite – until you see the telltale drop of blood and the intense itch that follows.

They don’t seem to care about dawn or dusk – they’ll bite during bright sun – but they disappear at night.

Picaridin and DEET protect against them – focus on the ankles!

Doctor Flies (Called “Yellow Flies” in Florida)

Most visitors never meet a doctor fly, but during certain seasons – usually late spring or early summer, around flowering trees and rural areas – they can show up.

These yellow flies (similar to horse or deer flies) have a mean bite. They’re called “doctor” flies because they draw blood – but unlike real doctors, they’re not that smart. They’re aggressive but easy to swat and kill.

I haven’t found a repellent that truly deters them. Their bites can itch for days, so have tea tree oil or anti-itch lotion handy – and pack Benadryl if you tend to swell or react strongly.

What we HAVE found is that this salt gun made for bugs is PERFECT for murdering Doctor Flies.

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Others (and Non-Issues)

Scorpions:
Yes, they exist – mostly in rural areas. I’ve seen maybe 5 or 6 in 18 years (always pretty far outside of San Pedro town). They look terrifying – it’s my #1 phobia-animal (I’ll take spiders or snakes every day of the week over scorpions) – but most stings are like a bee sting: painful, not dangerous. If you leave shoes outside overnight in the wooded/jungled area, just check before you slip them on in the morning.

Fire Ants:
They’re here, and they’re mean, but you’ll rarely run into them unless you step directly on a nest. You’ll know right away if you do.

Spiders:
We have them, including tarantulas, but they’re generally harmless and want nothing to do with you.

Botflies:
Yes, those infamous tropical horror videos exist – the worm under the skin. If you haven’t seen them, don’t look now. It’s not very frequent for visitors to Belize, and I’ve never heard of a single case on Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. They tend to occur in rural mainland areas near livestock. Again: rare. Another good reason to wear mosquito repellent – the eggs of the botfly cling to the legs of the mosquitos and are dropped during a bite.

Bed Bugs:
They make headlines every year somewhere in the world – Paris Fashion Week, New York City – but I’ve never heard of a case in Belize.

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Quick Summary: How to Avoid and Handle Biting Bugs in Belize

• Don’t freak out – bugs are manageable or barely noticeable, depending on location and season.
• When in doubt, spray or lotion up. It’s why I like the Picardin – it’s easy to put on and wear. DEET makes me feel like I’m slicked in oil – not a good feeling on a hot humid day.
• Bring repellent from home. It’s expensive and limited in Belize.
• Always pack Benadryl or a generic version – you never know what you might react to. It’s just smart to have it in your toiletry bag – just in case
• Bring an anti-itch cream or tea tree oil – no one wants an itchy vacation.
• If you’re highly allergic to bites, bring your usual medication or an EpiPen.
• For hikes or nighttime tours, pack light long pants and sleeves.

And since someone’s going to ask about snakes: yes, Belize has snakes – a few venomous…quite venomous – but you are very unlikely to see one unless you are deep in the jungle. Belizeans – many who grew up in areas where snakes were a frequent issue – are incredibly snake-aware, and your guides or hosts will keep you informed. Unless you’re actively searching for them, snakes want nothing to do with you.

I’ve seen snakes on Ambergris Caye but aside from a lazy boa warming himself on the road far north during a cold spell (temps dipping into the low 70s in December or January), they are pretty hard to find!

I hope this helps. I can summarize it quickly. Bring picaridin. Spritz yourself with it if in doubt. And you’ll have a great, hopefully itch free vacation!