Bali is a tropical island and has a substantial population of insects. If you stay in Ubud or any area near the forest, you will come into contact with a greater variety than what you will find at the beach or in populated areas. Most insects in Bali are harmless, although there are a few whose sting or bite is painful. Make proper use of insect repellant and common sense with insects, and you will be fine.
Mosquitos are one of the most common insects and probably the most dangerous, as they can carry diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, zika, or Japanese encephalitis. Use insect repellent with DEET, cover legs and arms with long clothing, and make use of either mosquito coils or plug-ins (available at grocery stores) to keep mosquitoes away. More mosquitos are found in Bali during the rainy months.
Ants are common house guests in Bali. You’ll also commonly encounter roaches, butterflies, wasps, bees, and the shrill sounds of cicadas. Balinese accommodations are very open to the outside, so having insects within the home is normal. You will also have lizards (geckos) coming inside; this is a good thing because they eat the insects and emit a small noise of pleasure afterward.
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