How to Kill a Tumbu or Bot Fly

Tumbu and Bot flies are particularly horrifying insects that can hitch onto a traveler in South American and Africa and lay eggs that will hatch into maggots and live inside your wounds. If you've been infected with one -- a condition called Myiasis -- you'll note a sore resembling a pimple that will turn into a painful boil, which is where the larva of the fly is living. It's not a particularly pleasant experience getting infested by one of these bugs, but fortunately you can do a few things to get rid of the larva.

Instructions

• 1

  Consult a doctor first before attempting any home treatment. The doctor may be able to remove it himself or prescribe a treatment.

• 2

  Apply animal fat to the boil's tiny breathing hole for the South American bot fly or mineral oil for the African Tumbu fly, which should prompt the air-starved maggot to crawl out. Kill the maggot and clean the wound.

• 3

  Use tweezers to pierce the wound and gently lift out the larva, but be careful not to piece the larva. Again, kill the larva and clean the wound once removed.