[champion6]

My wife and I are learning about TV by reading messages here. In March we will also be doing a Lifestyle Preview as well as staying with friends.

I have read about birdcages and have seen them in property listings - all shapes and sizes!

Hence my questions... How bad are the bugs, um excuse me, insects? Which ones are the nastiest? What months are they worst? Are the birdcages a necessity or a luxury? Would you consider sitting in your yard without a birdcage?

Thanks,
Mike

[ijusluvit]

Of course you can enjoyably sit out in your yard!

Birdcages are relatively inexpensive and they keep out dirt and flying debris as much as they keep out bugs. That's especially important if you have a pool or spa. It's the total benefit that makes them so popular.

[Coconuts]

You contract a bug man, like Dean's or Massey and there are no bugs. Complete eradication of all tiny life forms. It's quite remarkable.

[nONIE]

Champion, I am really amazed at how few bugs there are, at least at present.
There is no comparison in my estimation between the number of annoying insects up North in the summer time to the insects here. Now I must admit, I am not in The Villages in the summertime so we probably need to hear from someone who is here year round as to the "bug situation thru the summer months. But as of right now , no bugs are bugging me and Im outside alot during the day.

[broycenjuice]

I used to live in Port Charlotte, FL. If you went outside between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 am you were devoured alive.

I think the Morse family banned the bugs from TV.

[Coconuts]

And another thing there aren't any of is rocks---like for landscaping. When you come down here, bring your own rocks. I could just kick myself.......

[Taj44]

Boy, that's the truth. People pay a fortune for nice big rocks! I've rarely seen a mosquito, but I did hear it can be a little buggy by the water, I suppose at various times of the year. Our house is not a water view, so not a problem.

[kregski]

Sitting outside is no problem.Just stop by your local army-navy surplus store and pick up a bio hazard suit,,no problemo. I kid you the bugs are no big deal. Come on down,its a wonderful place..

[Barefoot]

There are a few mosquitos in the winter time for those of us who are bait.
More in the summer I'd guess. (But those who aren't targets wouldn't be bothered).

A lot of pesticides are used on lawns and golf courses! I'm sure this helps.

Our birdcage seems like an extension of the house, like an additional "room". It is much cosier than just sitting out on the grass.

Of course if you have a pool, you must have a birdcage, as fences aren't allowed (except in CYVs).

[musicman]

Wow, can't believe no one mentioned love bugs, yet.

Of course, they don't bite or sting, so they are not TOO annoying. But they sure do a number on your car!

We have a cage because we have a pool. My wife would never go outside if we didn't have it. If there is a mosquito, no seeum, spider or wasp within 100 yards, it'll find her! In the evenings there is a chance of some biting, but it is nothing like on the coast. A minor annoyance.

[dfn8tly]

I spent last summer here and found NO bug problems at all. When I first announced I was moving to Florida many of my friends said "how can you stand all the bugs?" Well, they clearly didn't know what they were talking about. I do have an exterminator service that does the outside of my home quarterly. Other than a couple of wasps in the Bottle Brush Tree and a few dragonflies when it's hot the pests were far worse up north than down here. The screened lanai is a nice convenience and allows for a open air flow. It's truly my favorite "room" in the house.

Don't let the thought of bugs bug you.

[JohnN]

bugs? well it's florida, there are some bugs but not near as bad as I'd anticipated. I prefer sitting on the screened lanai more for the shade but I guess bugs too.

Another thought is to be sure the wife wears perfume and a dab of sugar water, and you'd have no bug problem at all

[Bryan]

Bugs are not a big issue but you will need a regular service contract with some sort of bug company - and there are several around. I personally use Massey and have been pleased with their service.

Someone mentioned love bugs - harmless critters. They come in bunches (big bunches) about twice a year, stick around for two weeks or so, and then are gone. When they leave, wash your car. So many get "squished" on the hood, windshield, etc., that they (their remains, that is) can damage your finish.

Fire ants is another problem critter. Most "critter" service contracts will pretty much keep them in control in your yard. Problems happen if you step on a nest of them playing golf, soft ball, or some other outdoor activity. They are nasty critters but fairly easily controlled with a little diligence.

Like any near-tropical climate, we have an abundance of critters around but most present no real problem and seldom interfere with outdoor activities with (IMHO) one exception. I can sit outside to read, drink, sun bathe, whatever, all I want with no problem. Let me fire up the old grill to BBQ something and the flies show up in force!

[rshoffer]

Whe we informed everyone in Pa we were moving to TV in Central Fl the common response was..."OMG, THE BUGS, THE BUGS!!!"... what a shock to get here and find that, compared to summers in Pa there are NO bugs here. That is no exaggeration. The gnats and skeeters in Pa in the summer are horrible. I don't think I got a single mosquito bite last summer here. I think when northerners see the lanais and bird cages they assume it's because were infested with bugs here.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by broycenjuice

I used to live in Port Charlotte, FL. If you went outside between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 am you were devoured alive.

I think the Morse family banned the bugs from TV.

Actually.... I think there might be something to what broycenjuice wrote.
If you notice, the ponds all around Spanish Springs are loaded with gambuzia fish (skeeter eaters), so maybe all the other ponds are loaded with them too? And you never see bugs swarming around all the street lighting. Just drive down Morse or BV after sunset. I was amazed that the lights weren't clouded with swarms of bugs, and of course bug swarms = bats.

We stayed at a hotel 2 nights following our lifestyle visit, and the hotel management said we should keep the door closed and stay off the balcony because they had a spider infestation outside. They had just had the outside walls of the building exterminated, but the spiders were back in full force. Interestingly, the hotel uses normal "white" lighting outside (not Villages-approved lighting), with spotlights shining directly on parts of the building. Guess where the spider infestation was the worst? Bugs also = spiders. Their webs shimmered beautifully in the floodlight, but darn it... I paid extra for that balcony! LOL
Maybe TV planners chose the lovely lights because their color doesn't attract bugs?