FL residents - question about mosquitoes
 

I'm not sure if this should be in "off topic," but I wanted to target some FL residents.

I've lived in the midwest all of my life, but have visited lots of places. I now have an opportunity to relocate to SW FL. I'm aware of some of the drawbacks of living in FL (not just for a vacation), like heat/humidity, hurricanes. However, I'd like to get a sense of the mosquito problem, which seems like it can really reduce quality of life if you enjoy being outdoors.

So, anybody here from Collier or Lee counties? I've tried to do a lot of online research but I get a lot of conflicting information... Palm Beach had record numbers of mosquitoes last year, some say "it's not so bad," etc. etc. I'd love any opinions you can throw my way on the subject.

Thanks.

Hey, I've lived in Broward county all my life and now I recently moved to Daytona for school but honestly, Florida's mosquito problem isn't that bad. It can get a bit annoying at times during the summer when the humidity is up, but its nothing that would drive me crazy. As far as hurricanes go, we haven't had one in years! so it really isn't that bad right now, and to be honest with you, I think hurricanes are pretty cool, just as long as youre inside your house with your window shutters up :) Lastly as far as the heat and humidity goes, it is gonna take some getting used to the high amount of humidity here but its nothing that's gonna kill you.
One other note, Florida's weather is extremely bipolar, there will be days where you will wake up to a beautiful morning without a cloud in the sky and then by 3:00 itll be thundering and raining hard for the rest of the afternoon.

:laughabove:
Erratic weather? Try 65 one hour and 30 the next... in the midwest the forecast wouldn't be less accurate if the weathermen were replaced my blindfolded monkeys throwing darts.

Thanks for the quick reply. I am familiar with the sudden clouds and sometimes "monsoon" like rain that can occur. Not looking for perfection, but, trust me, it's better than Chicago's. And what you're saying about mosquitoes is pretty much what occurs here, especially if you're near any wooded areas or stagnant water. I'll be interested to hear some other opinions, too.

To get this thread a little more on topic, I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of any fun roads in SW FL. I suppose I'll just have to maximize my fun on exit ramps and so on. But, between the retirees and the grid-like streets and gated communities in Naples, maybe I should be buying a Buick...

I'm in Northeast florida, been here 20+ years. As far as mosquitoes go, its all about location. If you're by or living by stagnant pools of water there will be tons. If you're not you will rarely see them. So just be careful where you get your house and avoid the marsh/swamp land and you will be fine.

The heat can be brutal in the summer (100 + for several months straight) but its nice because we only really get 2 seasons here, HOT (april - november) and a little cooler (dec, jan, feb). i rarely use more than a hoodie even in the coldest weather here and its perennial flip flops and tshirt generally.

oh and no state income tax FTW

oh and P.S. its cool too bc you can go to the beach and what not practically year round.

If you live by a lake, there will be mosquito problems in the summer heat. I am in NW FL, and we have gnats and sand gnats. They get in your eyes (I mt. bike) and they suck. Off will come handy in the summer months. Collier Co is by swamp area and may be full of mosquitos. PBC should be okay. Mosquitos are a big concern in the sweltering heat. Right now, not too bad.

Just put a lot of screens on EVERY window, dont leave windows/doors without screens open. Also, buy a bugzapper if it gets really bad. I live in South Florida, and it isn't drastically bad