I’ve spent my life preparing for disasters most people never think will happen. Fires, floods, storms, grid-down scenarios—those are the big ones. But the truth most folks don’t want to hear is this: sometimes the deadliest threats are the smallest. In the state of Rhode Island, you don’t need jungles, deserts, or exotic creatures to die from an insect encounter. All it takes is the wrong bite, the wrong sting, or the wrong moment of ignorance.
I don’t write this to scare you. I write this because knowledge saves lives—and if I had to choose between my life and yours, I’d choose yours without hesitation. Even if you were once my enemy. Survival isn’t about fear. It’s about respect for reality.
Let’s talk about the insects in Rhode Island that can, under the right circumstances, end a human life—and what you must do to stay alive.
1. Mosquitoes: The Silent Killers of New England
People laugh when I tell them mosquitoes are the most dangerous insect in Rhode Island. They shouldn’t. Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths worldwide than any other animal—and Rhode Island is not immune.
The Real Danger
Mosquitoes in Rhode Island can carry serious diseases, including:
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
- West Nile Virus
EEE, while rare, is especially deadly. It attacks the brain and can cause severe neurological damage or death. Survival isn’t guaranteed, and those who live may never fully recover.
How to Stay Alive
- Eliminate standing water around your home—gutters, buckets, birdbaths.
- Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk.
- Use EPA-approved insect repellent.
- Repair window and door screens immediately.
- If you develop fever, headache, confusion, or stiff neck after mosquito exposure, seek medical help immediately.
Ignoring mosquito bites is how people die quietly.
2. Ticks: Slow Death Through Disease
Ticks are not insects—they’re arachnids—but they deserve a place on this list because they kill more Rhode Islanders than any spider ever will.
The Real Danger
The black-legged tick (deer tick) is common throughout Rhode Island. These ticks transmit:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
While Lyme disease itself is rarely immediately fatal, untreated infections can lead to heart complications, neurological damage, and immune system breakdown. Babesiosis, in particular, can be deadly in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.
How to Stay Alive
- Perform full-body tick checks after outdoor activity.
- Shower within two hours of being outdoors.
- Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
- Use permethrin-treated clothing or tick repellent.
- Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.
Time matters. The longer a tick feeds, the closer death creeps in.
3. Bees, Wasps, and Hornets: Death by Allergy
Most people survive bee and wasp stings. Some don’t. And when it goes wrong, it goes wrong fast.
The Real Danger
For individuals with severe allergies, a single sting can cause anaphylaxis—a rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction that can shut down the airway and drop blood pressure to fatal levels.
Yellowjackets and wasps are particularly aggressive in late summer and early fall. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times.
How to Stay Alive
- Know if you or family members have insect sting allergies.
- Carry an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed.
- Avoid wearing strong fragrances outdoors.
- Stay calm around flying insects—panic triggers attacks.
- Seek emergency medical care immediately after signs of an allergic reaction.
I’ve seen strong men collapse in minutes. Don’t underestimate a sting.
4. Black Widow Spiders: Rare but Real
Rhode Island is not crawling with deadly spiders—but the black widow does exist here, though sightings are uncommon.
The Real Danger
Black widow venom attacks the nervous system. Bites are rarely fatal but can cause intense pain, muscle cramps, breathing difficulty, and dangerous complications in children, elderly individuals, or those with health conditions.
How to Stay Alive
- Wear gloves when working in sheds, garages, or woodpiles.
- Shake out shoes and clothing stored in dark places.
- Seek medical care if bitten and symptoms worsen.
Survival means respecting even rare threats.
5. Fleas: The Forgotten Risk
Fleas aren’t just itchy—they’ve shaped human history.
The Real Danger
While plague is extremely rare in modern Rhode Island, fleas can still transmit serious bacterial infections and cause dangerous reactions in vulnerable individuals.
Pets that aren’t treated for fleas can bring risk directly into your home.
How to Stay Alive
- Keep pets on veterinarian-approved flea prevention.
- Wash bedding regularly.
- Vacuum frequently.
- Treat infestations immediately.
Neglect invites disaster.
Rhode Island’s Best Survival Rules I Live By—and You Should Too
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
- Small doesn’t mean harmless.
- Early action saves lives.
- Prevention is stronger than treatment.
- Respect nature—or pay for it.
I’ve trained for collapse scenarios that may never come. But insect threats are here every summer. Every backyard. Every walk in the woods.
If I could stand between you and danger, I would. Since I can’t, I give you this knowledge instead. Use it. Teach it. Pass it on.
Survival isn’t selfish. It’s a duty.
Stay alert. Stay prepared. Stay alive.
TheDailyChristian 