In 2026, May brings the start of the rainy season in Panama, and with that, along the Rivera Pacifica to the Azuero Peninsula, the bugs are back.

Some choose to call it the green season. May is the start of the Pacific surf season, offering running rivers, and while a few big blooms of bugs follow the first rains, don’t fret; the bugs won’t last (in this intensity) for long.  

This year, the first real rains in Coronado occurred at the beginning of May, bugs of all shapes and sizes, from ginormous clumsy “June bugs” to a pile of wings, appeared in the morning. Just remember, bugs are vital to a healthy environment.

1. Turn off the lights 

You’ll get a lot fewer bugs with fewer lights. Try yellow lights for visibility with fewer bugs than other light bulbs. If you live beachfront, this is a great idea for an outdoor living space, making the coastal environment inviting for wildlife. 

2. Anti-mosquito plants

The oils found in some plants, like lemongrass and citronella, are natural mosquito deterrents. Planting herbs like rosemary, lemongrass, mint, and citronella close to your sitting area will help keep the bugs away. You can also try making your plants with this Homemade Bug Repellent recipe from a Playa community reader! 

3. Build a bat house

Bats eat a large amount of insects and are an essential part of keeping a healthy ecosystem. A small bat can eat over 600 mosquitoes in one hour! They also eat beetles, wasps, and moths. A bat house (a box slightly larger than a birdhouse) near your house is a natural way to keep the bugs at bay.