Before coming to San Pedro, we are going to campfor a week in the jungle around the hummingbird highway. Someone told us to watch for a botfly bite.

How can one tell how serious is it. Other than having bugs under your skin, does it make a person sick? If so what are the symptoms?

Also, what do you do about it if you are so lucky to be chosen by the botfly?

I'm no expert and a quick google search will be more accurate but it is a Mosquito that transports the bot fly larva so you just need to take usual anti-mosquito precautions. Mis diagnosis by Doctors with no experience once back in the first world is the worst outcome - so long as you're OK with a quarter inch beast living under your skin. There are some cracking Videos and pictures out there. I have a nice one of one being removed from a persons eyeball - anyone?

Symptom

Ready..............



click to enlarge and see this little sucker in all it's glory...........................

PS certain I stole these images from this site or somewhere similar - so not my work or eye!!!!!!!!!

http://Ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/botfly.html
http://Ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/botfly2.html

swelling, pain, grease over the air hole kills em by suffocation.

I've talked to people that live in cayo...work with horses/cattle and have had maybe one in their life time. But you'd be surprised how many emails I get about it...I guess not that surprised if you see those pictures above.

wow.....................are the police looking for me!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks that was what I was wondering about!
Good to know.

Makes a great souvenir to bring home and show your friends if you're lucky enough to get one...

thanks but I would rather bring home a nice tan

The Cayo area has less bots than the Hummingbird Hwy, Belmopan to Dangriga have a higher infestation, as does The Altun Ha ,Bomba Area. I would much rather have a bot fly, than the mosquito bite and get Dange Fever, I have had tick fever from here and would still prefer the bot fly than that.

If the Bot Fly bite you the best cure is bite him back Works for crockadile and shark bites too.