Biting Insects

[soren]

We are doing our seventh year in Florida, and are ready to try Texas or the southwest. One big negative for me, here in Florida, is that I react horribly any time I get more that a few insect bites at a time.

Over the last few years I've dealt with at least three events caused by No-see-ums, another couple of chigger attacks, several red ant events, and one year it was some sort of highly toxic tree caterpillar that was ravaging all the local oak trees. One massive oak covered our campsite like a huge umbrella, with these caterpillars dropping on to bare skin. They then left a slime trail, causing a rash and itching for weeks. It was so bad last spring that we returned to a big vet bill, since one of our dogs was infected, and miserable, from hundreds of chigger bites.

So my simple question is, what is life like in the other major snowbird locations in the states, when it comes to everything that wants to bite you?

[olfarmer]

We love to go to Texas in the winter. We usually go from Galveston to Mustang Island, Have only encountered bad mosquitoes in one small area, other than that no problems with insects.

[Bea_PA]

Been wintering in FL for 25 years, never parked under trees on grass and have never had a problem with bugs. Maybe you need to change areas or parks. We used to do every 3rd year in the Valley and loved it there. Stay in Mission if you don't like wind.

[Berilman]

What do you use to fix problem

soren wrote:
We are doing our seventh year in Florida, and are ready to try Texas or the southwest. One big negative for me, here in Florida, is that I react horribly any time I get more that a few insect bites at a time.

Over the last few years I've dealt with at least three events caused by No-see-ums, another couple of chigger attacks, several red ant events, and one year it was some sort of highly toxic tree caterpillar that was ravaging all the local oak trees. One massive oak covered our campsite like a huge umbrella, with these caterpillars dropping on to bare skin. They then left a slime trail, causing a rash and itching for weeks. It was so bad last spring that we returned to a big vet bill, since one of our dogs was infected, and miserable, from hundreds of chigger bites.

So my simple question is, what is life like in the other major snowbird locations in the states, when it comes to everything that wants to bite you?

[Lwiddis]

“The Army stationed me in Georgia twice”

That’s why I asked for Ft. Benning infantry school training during the Winter.

[guidry]

By far the best insect repellent is Ultrathon from Amazon. Until I found that my wife wanted to leave Texas

[valhalla360]

SW is generally going to be good for avoiding most biting insects but just hate living in a brown world. Also, lots of prickery plants. We still have some nasty burrs that will dig into your foot. We picked them up in Arizona and we still find the occasional one in the throw rugs 3 months later.

We like Texas as a nice middle ground (today's weather not withstanding). To a large degree you can pick how brown or green you want it. If you go further west, you get more desert. If you get by the gulf, you get more florida. In the middle, the bugs aren't too bad and you still get some green.

[CarnationSailor]

agesilaus wrote:
Rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, giant red ants, kangaroo rats and centipedes

Been coming to the southern CA desert in the winter for 11 years and have yet to see a single one of the above.

[Second_Chance]

agesilaus wrote:
Rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, giant red ants, kangaroo rats and centipedes

As a native Southwesterner, I find those easier to deal with than what the OP is describing. At least you can be proactive. The Army stationed me in Georgia twice - I'll take NM and AZ any day! The only thing that would keep the sand fleas at bay at FT Stewart seemed to be Avon Skin So Soft... the guys in the 24th ID bought it by the gallon and went to the field smelling like a French bordello.:)

Rob

[Lwiddis]

Age and Thomas left out cactus...the stationary poker.

[thomasmnile]

OP left out skeeters. They're a year round "treat" like cockroaches. 🙂

[agesilaus]

Rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, giant red ants, kangaroo rats and centipedes