[terrieb]

I hope one day to live in the Villages but was curious what types of bugs are in Florida that I would need constant extermination contracts for my house. I know about the fire ants but are there dangerous insects to be concerned about? Why are termites such a problem in Florida? What about the bed bug problem which seems to be worsening everywhere in the US? Do the Villages have issues with bed bugs?

[pooh]

No problems with bed bugs that I'm aware of, but ants can be a pain in the butt. There are a few varities, some are quite small and difficult to see. Termites are a problem in the south, not just here. They were a problem in CA where I live, too. In The Villages I don't particularly have any problems with insects, my little anoles on the lanai keep eating and eating whatever insect manages to crawl into the screened in area. There seem to be very few mosquitos. There is spraying done to keep that pest population down.

Maybe others will tell of difficulties they have with bugs, but for us, after dealing with Argentine ants in southern CA, bugs aren't an issue.

[redwitch]

Dangerous bugs? Fire ants and wasps, depending on your allergies. Palmetto (big, slow cockroaches), chinch bugs (lawn issue), sugar ants, pincher bugs, some types of weevils, love bugs (nothing gets them). So far as I know, termites aren't any more of a problem here than elsewhere but they are a problem nationwide. As Pooh said, mosquitoes aren't too much of a problem. It may be because TV is well sprayed, but it is important to protect against them.

You can do the spraying yourself (except for termites -- need special license for those chemicals) but having a service do it is much easier. Most companies spray the lawn and perimeter of the house, go inside when you have a need. Seems to work pretty well.

[Pturner]

On TOTV, there's tbugs.

[actor]

Originally Posted by Pturner

On TOTV, there's tbugs.

to post on TOTV since he's one of the most well-informed, thoughtful posters on this site.

[pooh]

How could I forget TBugs....and LOVEBUGS!!!

[jblum8156]

Don't forget mole crickets. They are called mole crickets because they burrow under your grass like moles and eat the roots and kill the grass.

[zcaveman]

Add spiders to the mix. And those inch long things with the pincers in the back that come in when there is a lot of damp weather.