Outdoors in Florida = bugs!

[shabba34]

Screen in your gazebo.  There is no better solution than screened enclosures.  

Bill in West Palm Beach who knows the deal.  :-)

Oh come on Bill, there's no mosquitos in S. FL.

[Vinny]

Screening is the best idea and the mosquito magnets do work. You just have to find out the breeze patterns in your yard.

I have a friend who lives in a woodsy area and a couple of his neighbors have them - he is benefitting from it. He claims that when the neighbors turn them on, he notices that he doesn't have too many mosquitos. I know this is a bit unscientific but so is the ozone and N2 debate!

As far as the Koi pond - yes fish do work. I believe back in the 50's the government put fish (don't remember which breed) into fresh water flooding areas to control mosquitos.

[Bonibelle]

My wild birds also help keep down the population of skeeters. You would be amazed at the amount of insects that a Carolina Wren can devour ...or a Purple Martin or even bats.  I encourage them all and enjoy the show. On the rare times that we soak during the day, the birds fly so close to us, never noticing that we are sitting in the tub.  

[Vinny]

I hope you wear those umbrella hats!!

[Snowbird]

In our area (Vero Beach) they have sprayed the mosquito into near extinction.  

My nemisis is the No-see-ums.  

Man I hate those things almost as much as skunks and posion ivy.

[orlandoguy]

Chemmie,

I also live in Orlando and notice that when the pumps are running, I have no bug problems.  I also put in the yellow bug lights in my patio and it seems to help.  

Where did you buy a Tiger River in Orlando?

[Chemmie]

How about a snorkel?  That way you can completely submerge in the tub.  

that would certainly be the most economical!


Actually, the "OFF" brand makes some kind of lantern thing that is supposed to keep bugs out of a 15x15 foot area.  I bought one of those on the cheap and will see what that does, for now.  I looked for the Coleman product but could not find one.  I'm also thinking about getting some tiki torches, both for the looks and to keep the bugs away.

[Chemmie]

Chemmie,

I also live in Orlando and notice that when the pumps are running, I have no bug problems.  I also put in the yellow bug lights in my patio and it seems to help.  

Where did you buy a Tiger River in Orlando?

I bought my Tiger River from Spas Etc. on 17/92 in Casselberry...er, might be Longwood.  It's a couple miles down from 436.  Nice place, knowledgable staff and from the sounds of things they provide good service after you buy.  We also went to the Marquis dealer which is about a mile farther down the road.  They were also nice and knowledgable, but we decided on the Caspian.  We really love it.  It seems to have deeper seats than many of the others that we tried.

[Skellman]

After this past weekend, I think I'd be more worried about those gators.
They don't eat skeeters do they?

[Chemmie]

After this past weekend, I think I'd be more worried about those gators.
They don't eat skeeters do they?

No, the skeeters eat them!  


Actually, we have a lot of racoons and possum in our neighborhood.  The possum are always in our yard and my dogs love to chase them.  They aren't aggressive and usually run away, but if my big dog gets them, it's bad news.  He's killed one, unfortunately.  Sometimes they just scare us because they are big.  Other than that, they don't bother us.  Both them and the raccoons love to get in the trash if we don't cover it properly.  We've learned that the hard way.
The funny thing is, we have all of this wildlife right in downtown Orlando.  Sometimes I think this entire state was never meant to be populated.

[hymbaw]

[tanstaafl2]

Drifting through Sears today and saw that they had several nice looking "gazebos" for sale with insect screen that could be pulled around all four sides for $250-$450. The $450 was 12'x12'.

Looked pretty nice for the price!

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=07187283000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

On sale on the internet site for $400. Don't know if the same price is available in stores.

[drewstar]

In my local pool store last night, the Mosiqito Magnet 1 acre, corded unit was $470, tank not included.