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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to worry about cockroaches in the Canary Islands?

158 replies

RainbowBriteRules · 12/01/2019 20:18

Looking at all inclusive family holidays. They are all so expensive in the school holidays! Some good deals in the Canary Islands in particular Lanzarote and Tenerife. I’m not sure if I can do it though with the cockroaches. Google either tells me not to worry, I’ll hardly see any or that they are everywhere! Has anyone been and did you see lots? I have visions of being unable to sleep with them in our hotel room.

OP posts:
TattiePants · 12/01/2019 20:31

It's about 25 years since I was last in Tenerife but my god, they were everywhere! We were in Las Americas which wasn't the cleanest of places and that may have contributed to it. On the way back to the apartment there were a couple of metres of unlit path and DH (then DP) had to carry me over it every night as I was convinced one would crawl in my sandals! To be fair, DH had been to the same place the previous year and hadn't seen any so perhaps we were just very unlucky!

Original poster
RainbowBriteRules · 12/01/2019 20:32

Thanks Tattie, that is my fear! So many people seem to go on holiday there though, maybe they are less pathetic than me.

OP posts:
Notgotajarofglue · 12/01/2019 20:33

I'm from Lanzarote and yeah they are all over. Don't do you any harm though

CrazyOldBagLady · 12/01/2019 20:33

I didn't spot any in Tenerife. Costa Adeje was very clean, maybe this helped, or maybe I just didn't notice them.

PerditaMacleod · 12/01/2019 20:34

I went to La Palma in October and didn't see a single one.

TattiePants · 12/01/2019 20:34

DH also saw a rat in one of the bars and fortunately didn't tell me until we were safely back in the UK. Lots of my family have been to Lanzarote and Gran Canaria since and haven't had any problems.

ThePinkOcelot · 12/01/2019 20:35

I’ve been to Tenerife a few times, saw the odd one. Gran Canaria the same. I’ve also been to Cyprus, Greece and mainland Spain. Saw them there too. Don’t think they’re only native to the canaries OP!

BloodyBing · 12/01/2019 20:35

I've been to the canaries every other year for 25 years and I've hardly come across any.
Occasionally there will be one pottering about but I have never ever seen a swarm of them.

8FencingWire · 12/01/2019 20:36

I went to lanzarote every year for the past 4-5 years. I haven’t seen a single one!

BejamNostalgia · 12/01/2019 20:36

I went to the South of Fuerteventura near Jandia and didn’t see one. Lovely place, very beautiful and great food.

nbee84 · 12/01/2019 20:36

I've been to the canaries about 15 or so times. Some years I've seen quite a few, other years none or hardly any. We've only once had one in our apartment and a quick call to housekeeping, who came with some spray, sorted that out.

Celebelly · 12/01/2019 20:37

I've been to Gran Canaria four times and seen one cockroach, nowhere near our hotel and just while walking back from a restaurant.

Purplestorm83 · 12/01/2019 20:37

Went to Fuertaventura last year and didn’t see any

BabyNameDilemma · 12/01/2019 20:38

I went to Lanzarote a few years ago and we had quite a few. I left a siesta glass on the side overnight and there were three in it by morning!

Celebelly · 12/01/2019 20:38

(I was walking back from a restaurant, not the cockroach) Grin

BabyNameDilemma · 12/01/2019 20:38

Dirty glass, not siesta!

CantWaitToRetire · 12/01/2019 20:38

I love Lanzarote but yes, you will see at least one while you’re there. My worst experience was years ago when we were staying in an apartment block. I’d got in the shower which was over the bath. I’d just finished shampooing my hair when I looked up and there was one on the inside of the curtain. I’ve never screamed so loud in my life and I couldn’t get out of there quick enough. Found one in the wardrobe too. Don’t be fooled into thinking if you’re not on the ground floor you’ll be ok. We were on the third floor at the time.

starrynight19 · 12/01/2019 20:39

We have been to Tenerife maybe 5/6 times and have probably seen 1.
I don’t think this is a reason to be put off.

Alfiesmom74 · 12/01/2019 20:40

Been to Lanzarote and Gran Canaria stacks of times and can count on 1 hand the amount of cockroaches I’ve seen. Meanwhile went to Mexico 5 star and saw more in 2 weeks than I have anywhere else!

Hortonlovesahoo · 12/01/2019 20:41

I've been to gran canaria 3 times and I've only seen one in a hallway and not in any rooms

Original poster
RainbowBriteRules · 12/01/2019 20:41

Thanks everyone! Not sure if I am reassured or not but really appreciate all responses. I know they are not only in he Canaries but it just seems you hear more about them there.

OP posts:
lostinjapan · 12/01/2019 20:41

You do see them every so often when you’re walking around. I’ve been to Fuerteventura four times, and two of those times I’ve had them in my apartment (but it wasn’t overrun with them).

But I mean I’m really bloody terrified of cockroaches and I keep going back, so I guess if I can cope, most people will. I guess some hotels have more of a cockroach problem than others, so have a search of the reviews before you book.

Pinkyponkcustard · 12/01/2019 20:41

Honestly op I wouldn’t even think about it - as a previous poster said they aren’t native to the canaries you will find them all over Europe, like lots of insects.

Original poster
RainbowBriteRules · 12/01/2019 20:42

That is interesting Alfiesmom Shock. Is nowhere safe?!

OP posts:
DuvetCaterpillar · 12/01/2019 20:43

When are you thinking of going - it might vary by season? We just came back from La Palma in early January, didn't see a single one.

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