No worse than anything you find in the Med, rarely seen any spiders in Goa, ants you do see but nothing monsterous, yes thay are there but you shouldn`t find them a problem.

Katherine, I like your daughter hate anything like that. I can honestly say I have never seen not one spider. Ants yes, but spiders no Its the two legged Taxi drivers you need to be more wary of

Oh, I did see one cockroach!

Thanks Elliebee, glad to hear that but have been reading the forum and there appears to be very big rats and flying insects there.Have you experienced any of this.Have seen where people take their own repellent and Raid but the people seem to stay mainly in North of Goa.Do you know of any where in the South as i am looking for somewhere quiet but still having restaurants, shops etc.There seems to be more rats and snakes there according to the forum.Anybody with information about house with pool and no rats would gratefully be appreciated.Will take the Raid spray just in case.Many thanks, Katherine

Sad to say, Rats, snakes, cockroaches (they can fly, and are large!) ants, etc are'nt "notherners" or Southerners" but will be found, just like the mossies, all over Goa and indeed the whole Sub-Continent. It's the Rats iv'e got a phobia for, so, if you see anyone at night banging his feet down hard as he walks anywhere thats a bit dark, it's only me, trying to tell Mr Rattie to keep away. Alan

If there are any spiders in your room - the geckos will get them.

Alan, i am now really worried.So far all i was worried about were spiders and flying large cockroaches and now it seems that huge rats are also all over the place.If i get a modern up to date villa can you tell me what are the chances of meeting any the the above mentioned??The mossies at least i can bring a repellent for.I really am in a state as to book or not for Goa.If i dont book today i will lose the T.C Flights and if i do book and we have problems with the beasties mentioned my daughter and myself will need valium for the bugs and my husband has a phobia for rats.Quite a sad lot really we are.I just read somewhere in the forum that the South was more prone to beasties as it is not as heavily populated as North.I was hoping to go there if it was quieter as we want to experience the real Goa.Are there water sports, diving, etc available to your knowledge as our 15yr. old boy loves water sports.Any other info. would be appreciated as i have never been here.Thanks again.Katherinei

Katherine, try not to worry too much. Its not like they are running around everywhere and you have to step over them whenever you go out. They are there yes but they aren't the size of dogs! My husband has a real bad phobia of snakes but we didn't see any.

I'm not sure about the North South thing, I don't think thats true.

If you want a private house with pool, look at Luisa by The Sea in Cavelossim - South Goa.

Only the size of small dogs! Seriously though the rats wont bother you, it's just that as I,m terrified of them, and am always looking for them when we're out at night, that I occasionaly spot one. Snakes are few and far between, I,ve never seen one although friends have, but they will give you a wide berth, I,ve seen lots of dead sea snakes , the fishermen bring them in with their catch and just toss them aside, but I've never seen one when I've been swimming. Cockroaches you can zap with excellent sprays available freely in the shops, and as long as you dont leave food exposed in your room ants should'nt be a problem. However if you leave the likes of biscuits exposed, beware, they seem to arrive from nowhere
Really though dont let them put you off your holiday, you'll be fine. Alan

I have only seen one or two rats in Goa, they were no bigger than the ones we get here, mind you living out in the country I guess ours are pretty big. I wouldnt think you would have any problem with them in a private villa, they are normally scavenging around backs of restaurants etc. The only thngs I dont like there are those flying torpedo shaped insects - not sure what they are, look like a cross between a grasshopper and a butterfly. There were loads there in November, they are harmless though I believe.

Ants there are, it's true. You an avoid them colonising your living area/balcony by keeping it spotless e.g. don't leave crumbs around/spills from drinks.

I've seen one spider about 3 inches ( all legs), and one rather small cockroach. Mosquitos are more of an annoyance. You can buy Raid in all the shops, so buy it there. I've seen rats once only in Goa, and that was staying in a ground-floor apartment right by a pool. I now always stay on an upper floor to reduce my chances of encountering some things that may wander in!

Dont know if they qualify, but I,ve come across loads of Frogs, I think the fact that lots of properties have wells may explain this. Alan

Never seen a rat or snake, saw one spider, a couple of geckos and a few very large bees!

if you rent a villa etc be sure not to have one with the old portugese style roof, where there is a big gap running around the entire roof allowing insects and rats to enter. im afraid there are rats, but not running around all the time,mostly evenings and near food sellers.you probably wont see one if your only there a fortnight, i was there much longer and did see some. never saw a spider, ants sometimes the odd cockroach, but its really not that bad. mozis are perhaps the biggest pests.

The only thngs I dont like there are those flying torpedo shaped insects - not sure what they are, look like a cross between a grasshopper and a butterfly.

Dragonflies? Some of them are really pretty. Wouldnt want one as a pet though

Butterflys too - they are really big out there but so beautiful.

India lies betwen the Tropic of Cancer and the equator - you've got to expect to see the odd insect or two.

The main problem with Portuguese style open tile roofs is - that the tiles provide an ideal hiding place for the mosquitos during the day - very difficult to spray.

Thank you all so very much for your contributions.I certainly feel much better informed and will stay away from the style of roof discussed.I will look for the villa as advised.Is Louisa the name of an area in the South?I am now going to book the flights and will be back for more advice.Is it common practice to hire a car there as i dont know Airport distances etc.Ellebee seems to have a fair knowledge about the local taxi drivers and they must be a bit iffy.Not sure what she meant-possibly not very trustworthy.Thank you all again who responded.Your help is really appreciated.Katherine

Fairies, please do not hire a car in Goa if its your first visit. The roads are crazy, and as a foreigner if you are involved in an accident its YOUR fault, not the other drivers!!! Better stick to taxis.
GFF xx

Fairies - Luisa by the Sea is a resort within Cavelossim which is in the South.

Golden flipflop/Elliebee, thank you for your help.I will definately not hire a car as you seem to have prior knowledge.Are taxis expensive?Also Elliebee, regarding the area you recommended can you advise on any particular property that you may have experience of.So far i have researched the spider situation, have a good knowledge of the size of the rats so its time to move to the next stage.Many thanks, Katherine