The season of rains in Mexico not only transforms the climate and cools the cities after weeks of intense heat. It also causes massive appearance of insects that find in humidity and accumulated water the perfect environment to reproduce.
Every year, health and civil protection specialists warn about the increase in species that may represent a risk to people, especially in tropical, rural or urban areas with drainage problems and garbage accumulation.
Although many insects are a natural part of the ecosystem, some are considered dangerous for transmitting diseases, causing severe reactions or even causing serious medical complications through stings and poisons.
During the rainy months, hospitals and health centers usually report an increase in cases related to bites, allergies and infections resulting from contact with these animals.
1. THE MOSQUITO, THE MOST COMMON AND ALSO THE MOST DEADLY
One of the most dangerous insects that appears during the rainy season is the Aedes aegypti mosquitoknown to transmit diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya.
The accumulation of water in patios, tires, buckets and sewers favors its reproduction. A small amount of stagnant water is enough for hundreds of larvae to develop in a few days.
According to health authorities, dengue continues to be one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Mexico, especially in states with hot and humid climates.
“The rains considerably increase the presence of mosquito breeding sites,” health organizations have warned in different preventive campaigns.
Symptoms may include:
• High fever
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Skin rashes
• Severe pain behind the eyes
In severe cases, dengue can cause bleeding and life-threatening complications.
2. Scorpions SEEK REFUGE DURING RAINS
With the arrival of the rains, the scorpions They usually leave sewers, wet lands and areas with accumulation of debris to look for dry and warm spaces inside homes.
In northern and central states of Mexico, these animals frequently appear inside shoes, clothing, beds, furniture and cracks in walls, increasing the risk of domestic accidents.
The bite of some species can cause severe pain, inflammation, numbness and even respiratory complications, especially in children and older adults.
“During the rainy season, the report of scorpions inside homes increases considerably,” Civil Protection authorities in different entities point out.
3. POISONOUS SPIDERS ALSO INCREASE IN WET SEASON
The rains also favor the appearance of different species of spidersparticularly those that seek dark and dry places to protect themselves from outside humidity.
Among the most dangerous, the violinist spiderwhose venom can cause severe skin lesions and affect tissues if medical attention is not received in time.
Another specimen of concern is the black widow, recognized for its powerful neurotoxin, capable of causing intense muscle pain, fever and spasms.
Specialists recommend checking corners, cellars, stored clothing and rarely used furniture, since these spaces tend to become ideal hiding places for these species.
4. AFRICANIZED BEES ALSO REPRESENT A RISK
Another danger that increases during the rains is the swarms of africanized beespopularly known as “killer bees” due to their highly defensive behavior.
Rains and temperature changes usually alter their hives, causing them to move to urban or residential areas.
Although bees play a fundamental role in environmental balance and pollination, a massive attack can be dangerous, especially for allergic people or children.
Authorities usually receive multiple reports of swarms installed on trees, poles, roofs and fences during these months.
The most common symptoms after multiple bites include:
• Severe inflammation
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Intense allergic reactions
• Risk of anaphylactic shock
5. THE KISSING BUG AND OTHER SILENT INSECTS
Among the least known, but equally dangerous, insects is the so-called kissing bugrelated to the transmission of the disease Chagas.
This insect usually lives in rural areas or homes with humidity and cracks, although in recent years it has also been detected in urban areas.
The bug It generally bites while people sleep and can transmit the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, responsible for affecting organs such as the heart and digestive system.
Another insect that proliferates in rain is the so-called drain flyassociated with contaminated environments and sewage, although its health risk is lower compared to other species.
CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT INSECTS IN THE RAINY SEASON
• A mosquito can detect the carbon dioxide exhaled by a person from several meters away.
• Mexico records thousands of cases of dengue each year during the rainy season.
• Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light due to substances present in their exoskeleton.
• Africanized bees emerged from a scientific experiment conducted in Brazil in the 1950s.
• The kissing bug gets its name because it usually bites near the lips and eyes while people sleep.
