Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Tenerife and cockroaches in may

20 replies

Kittykat3010 · 02/01/2023 00:13

Hi, iam looking to go away in mid may. I am absolutely petrified of cockroaches to the point im Thinking of not going at all, but really don’t want to disappoint my kids as it will be the first holiday they have had in about 4 years. I’m aware the canaries and other hot places are going to have cockroaches but can anyone tell me if they have visited recently and how bad they were. I’ll be looking to stay in a minimum 4 star hotel so hoping that might help. I’ve also considered lanzarote but heard they are just as bad there. Will there not maybe be as many in may, due to it being Cooler, or does this not make a difference? I’ve been to gran can around 15 year ago and was traumatised when one fell from a tree onto my head whilst having a meal and the amount I seen running around the pavements. I’ve not been brave enough to go back to the canaries since and not sure I can face it now. Any advice appreciated. Also I was looking at maybe staying at the ‘best hotel Tenerife’ that is the actual name of the hotel, if anyone could tell me if they had stayed there and if they seen any roaches particularly in their room. Thanks

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 02/01/2023 00:20

The only holiday destination I have seen cockroaches in was Tunisia.

HaggisBurger · 02/01/2023 00:22

Never seen cockroaches in the Canaries.

Nowgimmeagin · 02/01/2023 00:23

Been to tenerife many times, never seen a cockroach (a few cute tiny lizards though)

Mrstumbletap · 02/01/2023 00:24

Been loads of time, can't say I have ever seen one.

FleasNavidad · 02/01/2023 00:25

There were loads in Gran Canaria in the 90s but never seen one since on any island

Clymene · 02/01/2023 00:29

I've been to Tenerife 4 times and stayed in lots of different places - from hotels to Airbnbs and never seen a cockroach.

California is the only place where I've ever seen loads of roaches

80sMum · 02/01/2023 00:31

I've had several holidays in the Canary Islands, two of which were on Tenerife. I didn't see any cockroaches on any of the trips I've been on.

It's the USA that is "cockroach central", in my experience!

Ravageur · 02/01/2023 00:35

I saw a couple in lanzarotte in November. Apart from that one in Ibiza years ago.

harrassedmumto3 · 02/01/2023 00:35

I went to Costa Adeje and only saw one in the whole time I was there. I was there for a fortnight - in July - and it was in the hotel grounds at night. I have a phobia of them and some kids were chasing it. I actually felt so sorry for it!
Honestly though, Tenerife seems a safe bet if you're scared of roaches.

harrassedmumto3 · 02/01/2023 00:36

Not a single one in my room or inside the hotel though - I'd have died a death!
I did request an upper room though - as opposed to ground floor - just in case.

Notimeforaname · 02/01/2023 01:03

Have only seen them in Fuerteventura, outside the fancy 5 star resort funnily enough! And also in Rhodes town.
Both these times were in August in the height of summer .

You'll be fine op.
Going to Tenerife myself in April, will let you know how it was if you do book.

Notimeforaname · 02/01/2023 01:04

I did request an upper room though - as opposed to ground floor - just in case.

We were on the 6th floor in Rhodes when we saw one so I dont think that makes a difference 😫

Original poster
Kittykat3010 · 02/01/2023 02:22

Thanks for the reassurance everyone, I’ve been sat googling all night (the worst thing I know) and seeing so many horror stories, all be it some are from around 10 years ago but my brain isn’t understanding that things have probably improved since then 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Kittykat3010 · 02/01/2023 02:24

Yes please if you let me know how you get on, though by April will be too late for me to back out! Whereabouts are you going, can you recommend the best resort with kids, I was going to do las Americas but heard that’s more of a party place and a bit rougher than other areas.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kittykat3010 · 02/01/2023 02:26

Aww haha, I’d probably be the same to be honest even though I’m petrified, I always tell my kids not to squish spiders as I feel sorry for them incase they are mams or have families haha!

OP posts:
snowsilver · 02/01/2023 15:24

Honestly I think they are found anywhere it's hot and dry.
I've seen plenty in Greece and Canaries. Not necessarily in the room but out and about.
Your best bet might be to go for the higher floors in the more expensive accommodation.
I wouldn't choose Las Americas for a family holiday. Costa Adeje next door much nicer and close to the water park.

itsgettingweird · 02/01/2023 15:47

The star rating of the hotel won't influence you seeing them!

Location might.

I lived in Tenerife for over a decade and sometimes wouldn't see one inside my home for weeks and then would have 2-3 in a week or sometimes 2 in a day.

My advice is to buy the spray and spray the room - you're unlikely to see one but this will help.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/01/2023 16:13

Have never seen a cockroach on any of the Canary Islands.

Hoppinggreen · 02/01/2023 17:33

We had some in our apartment in Lanzarote and I have seen them in Tenerife and mainland Spain too.
You may or may not see one but unfortunately there will probably be some around.
You can’t guarantee you will never come across one so maybe try and work on strategies around it instead

Chloe2193 · 12/05/2023 07:16

Hello what is the spray you recommend? Thanks

New posts on this thread. Refresh page