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[millieshops]

Disgusting, but you all make me feel lucky. This is my 14th Florida winter - and the third in a row without any bugs including ants. A few years back, my building had a major ant infestation. Fortunately, all 4 unit owners agreed to hire a private exterminator and we got rid of them. Tremendous relief because some days there were hundreds (thousands??) and you just had no idea where they'd turn up next. Now I don't see any - even on my terrace.

[Hershey2]

Thanks everyone, cant afford a exterminator, and besides I`ll be back and forth from Michigan. I`ll give the boric acid a try. Maybe I`ll give them a call and see how they handle the problem for those that are snow birds..

[Hooty]

It's not just FL, it's any state in the South where it is humid & hot, and some times (but not this year) when the winters don't get very cold! We have a wonderful exterminator company that sprays outside (where the problem is) and we have had piece of mind ever since we've been using them!

BTW OP .............. you can afford two (2) homes, but cannot afford an exterminator???

[on the bay]

Just a caution if you have pets!

Boric Acid is poisonous to dogs, cats, any pets!

So you really can't use it if you do (have pets).

There are good non-toxic herbal sprays you can find at most retailers-

[151949]

OP- especially if you are not going to be in your house in Florida all year you really need to have someone spraying around the outside. certainly it is up to youas you are the one who has to live there , but NO WAY would I live in Florida and not have regular exterminators and at least twice yearly checking for signs of termites.

[little miss sunshine]

I live in SO. FL and have been here for 40+ years. Yes, we have bugs and some we just have to learn to live with. However, the plug ins do seem to help. I bought my recent ones from HSN. I will not have an exterminator because the stuff they use gives me migraines. I do keep roach, wasps and spider spray handy. I guess we just have to su7698k it up!

[sophiamarie]

I have been living in Florida for over 30 years and can count (on both hands) the amount of bugs I have seen. We have always had an exterminator every 3-4 months. That takes care of everything.

I have heard horror stories for years before moving here. "Bugs will crawl on your legs when you are walking" - "bats will fly at you" "scorpions".....

Well, I have never seen any bugs on me, never saw a bat or a scorpion, although I know they exist - but I don't have them in my house.

I will say though that just like everyplace else, you need to take precautions. When I buy sugar, flour, bread crumbs, etc., I put them in a baggie and put them in the freezer. Pasta, other things NOT in cans, I put in baggies and store them in a metal cabinet in my laundry room. I DON'T leave food lying around, keep my house very clean and don't have any bug problem. Once in awhile, we'll see a lizard (tiny one) but I don't care about them because they will eat any bugs if they are around.

I am tired of Florida getting a bad rap. Why do people move down here??? Surely, not because they love bugs. Keep your house clean and you'll never see any bugs. I also never brought home a bug from a grocery store (that I know of). If I did, then it was a one-time thing because there were never any other bugs around.

The people who always talk about the bugs in Florida, are the ones who don't even live here. Maybe they ought to stay where they are and stop complaining about the bugs....

[sophiamarie]

On 3/20/2014 little miss sunshine said:

I live in SO. FL and have been here for 40+ years. Yes, we have bugs and some we just have to learn to live with. However, the plug ins do seem to help. I bought my recent ones from HSN. I will not have an exterminator because the stuff they use gives me migraines. I do keep roach, wasps and spider spray handy. I guess we just have to su7698k it up!

Sorry, I will never "learn" to live with bugs. I don't have plug-ins either. I heard a story about someone who bought them from HSN years ago and she said she'll never forget seeing all the ants crawling up the electric cord. The plug--ins attracted more ants. UGH

As I said, clean house - no bugs. Just like anyplace else. I don't even keep a can of bug spray in the house.

You get a migraine from the exterminator but not from the roach, wasp and spider spray?????

[151949]

On 3/20/2014 sophiamarie said:

I have been living in Florida for over 30 years and can count (on both hands) the amount of bugs I have seen. We have always had an exterminator every 3-4 months. That takes care of everything.

I have heard horror stories for years before moving here. "Bugs will crawl on your legs when you are walking" - "bats will fly at you" "scorpions".....

Well, I have never seen any bugs on me, never saw a bat or a scorpion, although I know they exist - but I don't have them in my house.

I will say though that just like everyplace else, you need to take precautions. When I buy sugar, flour, bread crumbs, etc., I put them in a baggie and put them in the freezer. Pasta, other things NOT in cans, I put in baggies and store them in a metal cabinet in my laundry room. I DON'T leave food lying around, keep my house very clean and don't have any bug problem. Once in awhile, we'll see a lizard (tiny one) but I don't care about them because they will eat any bugs if they are around.

I am tired of Florida getting a bad rap. Why do people move down here??? Surely, not because they love bugs. Keep your house clean and you'll never see any bugs. I also never brought home a bug from a grocery store (that I know of). If I did, then it was a one-time thing because there were never any other bugs around.

The people who always talk about the bugs in Florida, are the ones who don't even live here. Maybe they ought to stay where they are and stop complaining about the bugs....

I live in Sarasota area and I completely agree with you - exterminator and keep things clean, plus put food in lock & locks or zip locks. It does take a small bit of effort but you certainly do not need to learn to live with bugs all over your home. Plus if you aren't getting the house sprayed and checked frequently for termites you WILL get termites sooner or later. It is only common sense! When the builder included a 1 year exterminator into the price of the house it was a definate sign to me that it was a necessity. But there are many of our neighbors who did not continue the exterminator after the 1 year ran out. And for those who say they don't want the chemicals sprayed in their house - they spray OUTSIDE. And those bugs carry diseases if they get in. Honestly, i wonder what conditions some people must live in from what they post here.

[sophiamarie]

On 3/20/2014 happy housewife said:

I live in Sarasota area and I completely agree with you - exterminator and keep things clean, plus put food in lock & locks or zip locks. It does take a small bit of effort but you certainly do not need to learn to live with bugs all over your home. Plus if you aren't getting the house sprayed and checked frequently for termites you WILL get termites sooner or later. It is only common sense! When the builder included a 1 year exterminator into the price of the house it was a definate sign to me that it was a necessity. But there are many of our neighbors who did not continue the exterminator after the 1 year ran out. And for those who say they don't want the chemicals sprayed in their house - they spray OUTSIDE. And those bugs carry diseases if they get in. Honestly, i wonder what conditions some people must live in from what they post here.

I don't think we really have to "wonder", do we??? LOL Tons of animals and tons of posts = bugs, bugs, and more bugs...... There is no other answer...

Like you said, it just takes a little more effort but it's worth it. I'll take Florida over N. Dakota any day.