When we first came here from New Jersey where the mosquitoes are as big as B-29's and the salt marsh greenhead flies (Tabanus nigrovittatus), bite like hungry piranha, we were pleasantly surprised by the relatively modest "bug" population. I spoke with a native farmer from the area and he explained that the climate here, unlike the the damp, sub-tropical coastal regions, is considered arid. He explained the dryness is not conducive to supporting many species that thrive on the coast. Sounded logical to me. I would certainly yield to someone more conversant with the subject. For certain, the climate hasn't precluded all "pests". Watch out for those fire ants.
