Hot Tub outside?
 

Hi fellow Villagers! does anyone have any experience in using a hot tub at their home but not covered under a Lanai? Trying to figure out if we need to spend $8-10k (ouch) on a Lanai extension or just install the hot tub on our BBQ patio area and see if the bugs/insects will be tolerable? (We would predict most of our Hot tub use will be after the sun goes down, post-golf rounds).

We're going to put one out on our patio. It won't be under cover of the lanai but it will be inside the birdcage. Not sure I'd want one out in the open.

Hot tub vs mosquitoes
 

There is no way I would sit outside here after dark unless I was in a screened enclosure. I get bitten just walking out to let the dog out before going to bed!

They are allowed on your slab but plan on using it during the day it would almost be unusable once the sun goes down in most areas.

Plan A
 

Well, I suppose we could get the hot-tub put it out there and try it out at different times and if as feared it gets too buggy we have to drop the $10k on a birdcage extension. Or a cheaper alternative get a couple of those beehive headcover masks and put those on when in the tub:shocked:

I had a hot tub for several years outside on the slab.
I placed it near the electric outlet (it was a large portable, not a built in).
No bugs, don't even worry about it.

I do have a villa so it had a wall, which was nice for privacy.
I got rid of it only when parts of it starting breaking down and I got tired of fooling with it, both time and expense, mostly the aggravation, long story there.

I really enjoyed it and so did my wife. I don't really see any downsides.
Send me a note if you want to talk more.

I have had a hot tub outside on a slab for several years and never a problem with mosquitoes or other bugs. I have used it during the day and at night and never an issue. Lots of geckos an occasional slug or snail even a black racer living under it but never bugs. Don’t know why but I’m not near any retention ponds or other standing bodies of water. This may have something to do with it.

We have a hot tub that is not inside a birdcage or in the lanai and we have no trouble with bugs. We are in it all times of the day and night. We do live in a courtyard villa so the privacy walls are great!

Preferred our hot tub in birdcage
 

We put a new hot tub on our uncovered patio in August 2019. We weren’t sure if we wanted to enclose the patio. No nearby water or ponds. Occasionally we did have mosquitoes and no see’ums. After one year we did add the 16’x17’ birdcage ($5400). We Couldn’t believe the difference. No leaves, snakes, lizards or bugs. Then we fell in love with another home. Now waiting 8 months for the contractor to build a new birdcage on this house!

We are building the bid cage extension on our lanai with a hard cover. And will put the hot tub under it. Total cost close to $20K.

This is what I have in my back yard - no need for birdcage ! Made by company in Tampa - prices are reasonable with free delivery and set up ! I am in a courtyard villa so I have complete privacy.
Hot Tubs | Spa Manufacturers - Tampa Bay, Florida Hot Tub Manufacturer

It will always be dirty and I would feel exposed. I am not a premadonna, but I like my privacy.

We installed a hot on a slab outside our enclosed lanai. We then purchased a free-standing (no permit required) pergola from Lowes. It took 2 hours to install, and anchored to the slab with concrete screws. Easy peasy. We have had the hot tub for 3 years. We frequently use it and have rarely seen or heard any bugs at night. It has never been an issue.

Regarding putting a hot tub outdoors, I am curious, has anyone ever purchased the Plug and Play hot tub from Aqua Spas? I have been looking at the two-person spa and wonder if anyone has a hot tub from that company. Thank you

I would never put one in the lanai. The moisture from it would be not be good with the ceiling's drywall.
Had one up north for many years outside year round. So nice to lay back and View the stars. Great for morning coffee too.
I dont see a bug problem at my house. If you don't now I would not put in a bird cage either.

I have our hot tub on the slab with no birdcage at courtyard villa. Used it nearly every day for seven years. Never see any bugs except an occasional butterfly. Cold days are not a problem for me, but I avoid hot afternoons. The walls provide all the privacy I need.

Why unusable after sun is down? Thanks.

Get a $600. blow up hot tub to try it out and than you can decide if you want to spend the money on a permanent one within or outside of an enclosure. While renting and waiting for our hose to be built, we tried out one. We used it quite a bit the first month, a little the next month and almost not at all after. Made us reconsider a built in one in our new house. Can always add it in the future.

We had one in Ohio near Lake Erie. Bugs weren’t too bad using it. Was fun to use in the winter too. Thinking of one here too. So I am interested in reading the replies here. Thanx all.

Ours is located outside on the patio - no problems with bugs except for 1/2 hour at sundown. We also have a battery operated Thermacell unit that keeps the bugs away if they should be present.

We are on a corner and added a large birdcage. We buried our hot tub in the added concrete so it is out of the ground 16 inches and is still removable. Check with the arc and or building dept. We bought our tub in Tennessee they make them there and are very reasonable. Discount Hot tubs.

Having our hot tub on the patio was no problem. Never had a problem with bugs regardless of the time of day we used it. The only downside for us was that the brutal Florida sun shortened the life of the hot tube cover. The last time we replaced the hot tub cover we added a cap cover for an additional $70. The cap cover should protect the hot tub cover and when it is time for a new one a $70 cap cover is better to replace than a $500 hot tub cover.

I believe that mosquitos are attracted to the smell of certain people. I for one, can't remember what decade it was when I was last bit by a mosquito. Think about it, when you go to the square and it's dark, do mosquitos bother you, then you might be a candidate for a bird cage, if not, then you'll be fine.

I have had an outdoor hot tub (not under birdcage for over 11 yrs.) Never a problem, except for the hot months when the water temp. can get up ther.

We had one on patio for years and never saw a bug of any kind. Think depends on your village. We are in Sable Chase but heard the villages and courses south have problems

Hot Tub
 

A little off topic from the OP, but who around here will service hot tubs (besides T&D.) Most that I've called will only service those that they've sold. I'm not interested in doing it myself. Been there, done that, messed it up.

neighbor has a hot tub outside on a patio...he uses it sparingly and in the late afternoon

I haven't heard him complain about bugs

Just installed one and cage was added later.
 

Hot tub was installed in November and cage was added 2 months later. I did not encounter any bug issues between November and January but that is the winter months. You should expect to have insect issues in the summer. Also a cage would keep the small lizards and frogs out of the area.

We have a hot tub on patio overlooking golf course. No bird cage or on lanai. Beautiful look up and see stars. It’s near white fence for a little privacy but love waving to people on course during the morning. No problems with anything!!

I had a hot-tub on my Court yard villa lanai with a gazebo over it for years and never a bug problem. You could always light several citronella candles for any bug protection and ambiance

As the sun wanes in the afternoon and the state insect comes out to feed it will make sitting in the tub intolerable. Your head, face, neck and the tops of your shoulders will be bitten and the buzzing around your ears will make you nuts. Of course if you stay deep in the water up to your neck and use a bee-keepers helmet and netting it might be do-able. If you still want to try anyway that suggestion of starting out with an inexpensive inflatable spa outdoors first is a very good one.

Installed mine outside on the slab.
 

Just Replaced cover $400. Cover does get dirty. No problem with bugs. Happy soaking

I use mine about 5 nights a week. 15 minutes in the hot tub, then I'm sound asleep in bed in 5 minutes. Mine is under a bird cage outside the lanai.

If you want to buy one now, be prepared to wait 6 to 9 months. They are sold out in the pandemic.

You run the risk of mice eating the wires in the winter if out in the yard.

We have a hot tub outside in our villa. We also have several bird feeders and lots of birds. We have not had any bug problems. Geckos moved in when we were gone for a few months but they voluntarily vacated when we returned. The privacy fence in the villa is great.

We bought our hot tub privately here in TV about 12 years ago for $500, and it's used practically every day. The only time it ever needed a repair was a few years ago, and unless they've changed their policy, Spa Kingdom in Fruitland Park (352-702-0706) serviced ours. We found out that the manufacturer is out of business, so if we ever need parts, they may not be available, and that'll be the time to look for another hot tub.

We love ours on our bird cage.

Depends on what area you are in. I don't go south of 44 at dusk because the mosquitos down there are unbearable. Many areas are sprayed and I've never had a problem where I am. I'm a mosquito magnet, but never been bitten here north of sumter landing.

Hot tub will be just fine outdoors as long as it got good insulated cover that locks down. If you live in the mosquito infested south villages unless you’re screened in you will have to put up with them. IMO easiest hot tub to install would be plug and play 110, in most districts you don’t need permit approval? You have read you’re district rules. Any 220 hot tub installation required approval and special requirements and restrictions. CYV’s are ideal due to concrete pad already in place and walled in back yard. If you have designer, ranch, without bird cage privacy might be problem with houses stacked in. Either way you have to read you’re district rules on hot tubs.

They have to chew hole first, usually it the rats come first. Critters do like warm hot in cool season.