bugs

[tbrock555]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

[New Englander]

Bug spray that has the chemical "Deet" in it.

[Carla B]

Probably depends on the area you happen to be at the time. We've never encountered mosquitos or no-seeums here, but we live on a golf course that is regularly sprayed. And I think the town squares are okay too. But I did hear of mosquitos in some of the new areas south of 44. I imagine as time goes by their population will diminish. Noseeum bites are worse than mosquito bites. The most misery I ever went through from noseeums was in the Fort Myers area near the mangroves, and again at Angelfish Key. Those took months to heal.

[tbrock555]

noseeums?

[vintageogauge]

We live south of 44 and have minimal bug problems. It was a lot harder to go outside after dark in Ohio than it is here. If you go down to the Marshes such as where a lot of homes are in Pine Ridge and/or Pine Hill you will be very close to marshes and most likely will have a mosquito problem. Probably the biggest PITA are pests that damage flowers and shrubs, they do have to be controlled. Very happy with the lack of bug problems both in and out down here in the south and we do live on a retention pond.

[Stu from NYC]

Surprised how few bugs we have encountered here

[tophcfa]

Have never had a problem except around sunset to dusk. I am not an early morning person so I can't speak for how they are during dawn/sunrise. Love bugs are another story, but they don't bite, they are just annoying. My advise would be, don't let them bug you : )

[EdFNJ]

noseeums? Exactly!

[LuvtheVillages]

Sumter County has a mosquito control program that generally works well. They have mosquito traps in various places. When there are a certain number of mosquitos in the trap, they send out trucks to spray that area during the night.

I seldom encounter any bug bites within the Villages.

Outside the bubble, you are on your own.

[John_W]

They usually spray for mosquitos in most counties in Florida. As already mentioned, any 'Off' spray with DEET you spray on yourself. I myself can't remember the last time I got a mosquito bite. I have type A+ blood, mosquitos are more attracted to type O blood.

Palmetto Bugs, are large roaches. Spray the boundaries around your house on the outside and in the garage with ant & roach killer. Especially on the outside of sliding doors, they like to slip in through there. Clean the kitchen well, when you use the toaster, not only clean the tray but take the entire toaster and shake it out over the sink.

The only bugs that bother me are "Love" Bugs. They come every April/May and then return in 120 days, usually Sept/Oct. They are two bugs hooked together, that's why they have their name. They swarm in large masses near highways like 44 and I-75 and anything white, like the trellis at the swimming pools. What makes them so bad is if you have to take trip, let say to Gainesville. You have a black coating of Love Bugs when you return. Don't try and wash them with windshield wipers, it only makes it's worse. You can get a bud deflector (plastic shield), or get netting for grill, or just clean them off after every trip or it will ruin your paint.

I buy this at Lowes for $7 and it works good and it's a good size container with a sprayer. The Wildwood Lowes has over 100 in stock.

https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/071121/071121960986.jpg?size=pdhi

[retiredguy123]

noseeums?
That means "no see them" because they are very small.

[Art cov]

I use to live in Dixie county fl where the fishing, whether fresh or salt water is fantastic. However the bugs were horrendous there. Avon’s skin so soft was everyone’s best friend. Mosquitoes most of the time made life miserable, yellow flies were vicious, fire ants awful, noseums drove me nuts. SSS was always with me so I could fish 6 days a week. That was in the swamps! Now Avon’s got a special bug off ingredient in skin so soft.

[JohnN]

Bugs are not a big deal at all. Get some bug spray and you'll use it occasionally.

If you live near a swamp or forest area, maybe more often. Don't worry about it unless you encounter it.

This is Florida, you will see a bug on occasion. Fewer than up north and fewer than you'd expect.

[vintageogauge]

They usually spray for mosquitos in most counties in Florida. As already mentioned, any 'Off' spray with DEET you spray on yourself. I myself can't remember the last time I got a mosquito bite. I have type A+ blood, mosquitos are more attracted to type O blood.

Palmetto Bugs, are large roaches. Spray the boundaries around your house on the outside and in the garage with ant & roach killer. Especially on the outside of sliding doors, they like to slip in through there. Clean the kitchen well, when you use the toaster, not only clean the tray but take the entire toaster and shake it out over the sink.

The only bugs that bother me are "Love" Bugs. They come every April/May and then return in 120 days, usually Sept/Oct. They are two bugs hooked together, that's why they have their name. They swarm in large masses near highways like 44 and I-75 and anything white, like the trellis at the swimming pools. What makes them so bad is if you have to take trip, let say to Gainesville. You have a black coating of Love Bugs when you return. Don't try and wash them with windshield wipers, it only makes it's worse. You can get a bud deflector (plastic shield), or get netting for grill, or just clean them off after every trip or it will ruin your paint.



I buy this at Lowes for $7 and it works good and it's a good size container with a sprayer. The Wildwood Lowes has over 100 in stock.

https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/071121/071121960986.jpg?size=pdhi

I've been here going on 4 years and have never seen a palmetto bug or cock roach in or outside of my home and I hope I never do.

[Catalina36]

I have not encountered any bug problems at all. Add garlic and onions to your diet, that might help :)

[bowlingal]

skin so soft by Avon works wonders!

[MandoMan]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

Come on down, don’t bring any bug spray with you, and if you happen to run into any mosquitoes, deal with them then. I sat on a lawn under some trees at sunset a couple months ago and started feeling something was jumping onto my legs, but those are the only bugs I’ve seen in my time here. The Villages seems to be a blessed bug-free isle.

[SeaCros]

Welcome to Florida and bugs like people from up north for some reason. Deet products work well.

[oemsp1]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

Bugs will carry you away down here.

[GaryKoca]

Love bugs are annoying and can wreck the finish on your car. Just go to a hardware store and get The Boss Love Bug Eraser from Ace or another hardware store, and use that on the front of your car, and it should be fine.

[kendi]

We live South of the turnpike. Mosquitoes were terrible here this year. Couldn’t go outside at dusk or after without getting bit. Even with Deet repellent they got me under my sleeves. Often had 5 or more bites at one time. Neighbors experienced the same.

[Lindaws]

What bugs? We have no flies or mosquito. The geckos seem to eat them.

[Jerry Leinsing]

Latter part of 2020 we had millipedes all over the driveway and many in the house. Got every kind of spray to kill them. Not a scratch. Spray directly with Wasp Killer and other pretty powerful stuff and then just keep on crawling. Dean’s happened to come and I asked our guy what he can do. NOTHING kills them. He gave me some paper sticky boxes to put here and there. The bugs crawl all over the place, back and forth, and if the box just happens to be in the path, that’s it. They are stuck, curl up, die. Looked up the bug and they do no harm. They eat dead vegetation. Don’t have any dead vegetation that I know of inside. Outside, yes. They stopped being prolific about a month or so ago. Last week saw one, just one, that was 1-1/2” long in hall. Don’t know where they come from. Been here about 5-1/2 years. Never saw these before last year. Interestingly enough, I don’t see the anoles going after them.

[Annie66]

When our kids were small, they'd get eaten alive by mosquitos. When they bathed, my bride would squeeze a few drops of garlic juice in the tub. That kept the critters away and you could not smell the garlic on them. If you're not a bath person, then this doesn't work.

[Villages Kahuna]

We’ve lived here for sixteen years. The “love bugs” are an irritant each May and September, but they seem to be worse in new areas because of new sod. (The sod farms don’t treat for insects.)

But in all the time we’ve lived here I can’t recall getting a mosquito bite.

[coconutmama]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

We live between 44 & 466A. In winter months no problem. But when it is summer or spring (muggy) dusk & dawn are very active times with mosquitoes. The County sprays, but it doesn’t do much. We wear long pants/sleeves when walking the dog at those times. If you keep moving it isn’t too bad.

We try not to use Deet. Forgot about Avon Skin So Soft. Good idea, fellow posters!

[michaelUK]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

Living in Marsh Bend and the mozzies were fierce round Christmas time. I fought off three of them within a few minutes of leaving home. Seem to be at their worst under cover of darkness though they’re visible daytime as well. Needed a chair and a whip to keep them at bay - and I’m only partially joking.

[Grill Meister]

noseeums?
Some people refer to them as "noseeums". Most refer to them as "sand flys" and some as "sand fleas". They are extremely small flying bugs and have a terrible bite. They are most common in the salt water marshes and swarm out of the marshes when the wind dies and at night. They itch like hell and take a while to stop. They ain't fun, but I don't think you will find any around The Villages.

[diamond2005]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.
Stay in NYC!

[wmcgowan]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

Take extra vitamin b (thiacin I think) everyday - bugs dont like it

Also:

Repellants with DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) reduced the attractiveness of the volunteers' hands to mosquitos by the largest margin. Rather than killing them, DEET makes it hard for biting bugs to smell us, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is safe for use on adults and children.

Of the non-DEET repellants tested, one with oil of lemon eucalyptus and p-menthane-3-8-diol (a chemical found in fruit that smells similar to menthol) also worked well to deter hungry mosquitos.

And what about the vitamin B-1 patch? These scientists found that 300 milligrams of vitamin B-1 transferred through the skin from a patch did not repel mosquitos. Other studies with vitamin B-1 supplements taken orally have shown inconsistent results. Perhaps that's because some people have more natural mosquito-repelling odors than others.

Researchers at NMSU did find one surprise, however. A perfume called Victoria Secret Bombshell (ingredients unknown) strongly repelled mosquitos for more than 2 hours.

So, although vitamin B-1 hasn't been shown to be the most effective to repel mosquitos, it's not likely to harm you if you try it. While the usual daily recommendation for thiamin (vitamin B-1) is 1.1 to 1.2 milligrams a day for women and men respectively, the doses given to protect against mosquitos is around 300 milligrams a day. Excess amounts are excreted in the urine and there is currently no evidence that high doses of B-1 taken orally is toxic.

[GATORBILL66]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

WE HAVE TRAINED :bigbow:OUR SOUTHERN BUGS ONLY TO ATTACK YANKEES!

[Grunt 1946]

Any commercial spray with "DEET" will keep bugs away from you. The higher the content of "DEET" the better it works. I like "Backwoods OFF." In Vietnam, we just about had to soak ourselves in "DEET" It came in a green plastic bottle and contained about 50% "DEET."

[Westie Man]

Wear light coloured clothing, keep your feet very clean and dry. Don't go out at dawn or dusk

[larcha]

I have tried SSS in the past but it did absolutely nothing to deter the bugs. Perhaps since they added an insect repellant it works.

[PugMom]

That means "no see them" because they are very small.

yes--they're also known as knats in the northeast. those tiny swarms that hover over certain areas & bite like crazy. they're also are attracted to the moisture in your eyes.

[larcha]

noseeums?

Ceratopogonidae is a family of flies commonly known as no-see-ums, or biting midges, generally 1–3 mm in length. The family includes more than 5,000 species, distributed worldwide, apart from the Antarctic and the Arctic. Ceratopogonidae are holometabolous, meaning their development includes four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago or adult. Most common species in warmer climates will take about two to six weeks to complete a life cycle. Both adult males and females feed on nectar.

[Curtisbwp]

Im sorry to tell you that i have been in the villages since 2003 and have NEVER encountered a mosquito. Or any other bothersom bug. You have been fed and swalled the misinformation about bugs. Tropical florida has bugs but not here. PLEASE do not bring the ny lifestyle of dealing with bugs. You will see palmettos, large flying bugs from palm trees.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Thanks for any suggestions.


Mosquitoes - unless you live in the swampier areas, it really isn't a thing here. However there are times when there's an elevated risk of West Nile Virus, and any mosquito could theoretically carry the virus. Any spray with DEET in it should be fine to use on your skin and clothing. Don't use it on silk, furs, rawhide leather, or wool/genuine sherpa, because it can stain.

Fire ants: they mostly stay outside. You can walk barefoot on the "grass" (I use the term loosely - up north this green stuff is called weeds, and we use weed killer to get rid of it so the REAL grass can grow), but don't stand still barefoot on the grass for too long or the ants will find you. If you're gardening with shorts on, get a kneeling pad so your skin isn't sitting on the ground for any length of time. You can kill the nests with diatomaceous earth, but whatever ants weren't "home" that day, will just create a new nest somewhere else on the lawn. You can spray to reduce their population but they'll never truly leave. They're pervasive and stubborn.

There is no spray for your skin, that will repel fire ants. Some ants are repelled by peppermint but fire ants will just snicker and eat you alive.

[LG999]

Biting bugs are drawn to my husband also. When he eliminated banana from his diet, there was a big decrease in the amount of bites he endured. I do not know if it is something specific to banana or sugar in general or something else, but its worth a try.
Also, black flies which are prevalent in NY during the summer do not like basil. I plant a lot of basil on my deck in NYC and this substantially decreases black file bites when I sit outside. My deck is not screened. Hope this helps

[tbrock555]

Thank you all for all the suggestions. I know things usually get exaggerated and that's why I asked people who actually live there about the stories about all the bugs. I'm not some shrinking violet that will be chased away by some mosquitoes, just want to be prepared. As for the person who told me to keep the NYC method of dealing with bugs behind, no clue what that method is, would be interested in hearing it. And the person who told me they train their southern bugs to only attack Yankees, I hate the Yankees, I'm a Mets fan(I know, I know, you meant something else). Anyway, again, thanks for all the suggestions.

[tvbound]

Spend a little time fishing in northern Canada (or Alaska) in muskeg areas and skeeters anywhere else, will pale in comparison. When a cloud of little bugs can stampede entire caribou herds, you know they're a problem. Most locals up there say that anything with less than 90% Deet, is just "candy" for skeeters.

[davem4616]

We've lived in Florida full time now for close to 5 years...and we were snowbirds/bunnies for another 20.

We've always had our homes in FL and in the northeast treated by a professional pest control company. I actually think that
there are less insect issues in FL than we had in New England. Having a regular program to keep the bugs at bay is an excellent
way to avoid getting bit

Now as far as mosquitoes are concerned...we hardly EVER see them, but then again if we went out in the evening it was to one of the Town Squares where it would be rare to find mosquitoes. Those times when I would do an early walk around the neighborhood I'd be swatting a few of the little buggers. Time of day does matter.

I too have heard that bananas can emit a scent from some people's pours that will attract mosquitoes....so take that one to heart
I've also heard that rubbing your exposed skin with those 'dryer sheets' helps to repel the little buggers

[Worldseries27]

they usually spray for mosquitos in most counties in florida. As already mentioned, any 'off' spray with deet you spray on yourself. I myself can't remember the last time i got a mosquito bite. I have type a+ blood, mosquitos are more attracted to type o blood.

Palmetto bugs, are large roaches. Spray the boundaries around your house on the outside and in the garage with ant & roach killer. Especially on the outside of sliding doors, they like to slip in through there. Clean the kitchen well, when you use the toaster, not only clean the tray but take the entire toaster and shake it out over the sink.

The only bugs that bother me are "love" bugs. They come every april/may and then return in 120 days, usually sept/oct. They are two bugs hooked together, that's why they have their name. They swarm in large masses near highways like 44 and i-75 and anything white, like the trellis at the swimming pools. What makes them so bad is if you have to take trip, let say to gainesville. You have a black coating of love bugs when you return. Don't try and wash them with windshield wipers, it only makes it's worse. You can get a bud deflector (plastic shield), or get netting for grill, or just clean them off after every trip or it will ruin your paint.

I buy this at lowes for $7 and it works good and it's a good size container with a sprayer. The wildwood lowes has over 100 in stock.

https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/071121/071121960986.jpg?size=pdhi
the absolute best palmetto bug treatment is to spread non toxic diatamaceous earth
around the garage, points of entry, behind stove and all appliances. Takes a few weeks but they will bé gone.

[DAVES]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any suggestions.

The first question are getting bitten now? What is biting you? If, you are getting bitten now, it is likely you have bed bugs in your home or perhaps fleas or ticks from a pet.

Niacin a B vitamin, endlessly debated, does repel biting insects. I am not a doctor and I am not giving medical advice. For it to work you need to take high doses and several days before you need it to work.

Deet probably the most effective biting insect repellent has side effects.

Insects are cold blooded. They should be less active now. If, you are getting bitten now it is in your home.

[Decadeofdave]

noseeums?

Little white bug, smaller than a mosquito that can fly through a screen. Usually fly toward light. Burrow into your skin, but, you won't know it for about 3 days, then the bites take 2 weeks or more to clear up. Do I sound like I have experience or what!!

[Rwirish]

Stay inside and never go out.

[gregcharlesnelson@gmail]

We've found no mosquitoes up here in Briar Meadow north. In Minnesota there are two types of mosquitoes. One so small it can go through the screen, and one so big it can open the door!

[jerseyjoy]

We moved to The Villages from North Jersey and found the bug/insect situation was not bad at all. Just have routine pest control performed. We were in the area between 466A and 44.

[bobnyce]

I have read a lot about the bugs there. Most of my life in NYC and the last few in North Jersey I know there is nowhere near the bug situation that is there, yet every summer I get eaten alive, they like something about me, don't know what. My question is what are the things you guys do down there to combat the bugs. Not talking about homes, but on your person. Are there any kind of bug sprays, repellents, lotions, etc. that you would recommend? Any other remedies? Are some areas worse than others with bugs? Thanks for any
suggestions.

We have owned our home here for eight years and my wife is the target of every mosquito that ever lived. We screened our front and back porch and spend many hours on both. We never have bugs in our house nor ants, roaches or anything else. We use Massey for all our services including termites and are absolutely convinced they are the best.

By the way, you cannot expect to be bug free in Florida if you pile up mulch against your house and surround it with flower beds and bushes against the house. Keep your foundation exposed all the way around so that the appropriate deterrent can be applied and you will not have bugs.

[JoeinFL]

noseeums?

Tiny little suckers that are very difficult to see. (No see ums. )
They can get through a lot of screens and bite.
You’ll often see camping tents advertised with “ noseeum” screens.

[ts12755]

Bugs are very bad here... Stay in Jersey.

[rmd2]

///

[rmd2]

Latter part of 2020 we had millipedes all over the driveway and many in the house. Got every kind of spray to kill them. Not a scratch. Spray directly with Wasp Killer and other pretty powerful stuff and then just keep on crawling. Dean’s happened to come and I asked our guy what he can do. NOTHING kills them. He gave me some paper sticky boxes to put here and there. The bugs crawl all over the place, back and forth, and if the box just happens to be in the path, that’s it. They are stuck, curl up, die. Looked up the bug and they do no harm. They eat dead vegetation. Don’t have any dead vegetation that I know of inside. Outside, yes. They stopped being prolific about a month or so ago. Last week saw one, just one, that was 1-1/2” long in hall. Don’t know where they come from. Been here about 5-1/2 years. Never saw these before last year. Interestingly enough, I don’t see the anoles going after them.

The best sticky pads are Catch Masters. I don't even fold them. I just put them out flat. The place I get the most insects are inside of the garage right next to the garage door. I never see anything in the garage but they are there. I have gotten spiders, lizards, snakes and roaches on those glue coated Catch Masters.