Re: Flordia State Bug Problem

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

FIRST, THE PLUG INS DO NOT WORK. ALL THEY DO IS USE A LITTLE ELECTRICITY.

Cockroaches are a national problem - not just Florida. I'e lived in seven states through the years, and there's almost always a few of the little darlings when we move into a new house. I am sure they gather in moving vans and make group moves with their two legged friends.

They also come in courtesy of your local grocery in bags of potatoes and other products. You can either get used to them or call an exterminator or buy some really good home bug spray to use yourself. But chances are you'll never see the real end to these charming critters. They were probably here before us humans, and they'll probably be here when we're all gone.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

On 3/20/2014 Desertdi said:
I live in AZ........big strange pre-historic looking bugs here. You can't get away from them any place you live.............

Strange you'd have them in Az. Because I have absolutely no problem with any kind of bugs here in NM. I lived in Houston about 35 years and words cannot express what a relief it was to leave it behind. I haven't seen a flea since I left. I had to explain to one of my dog rescue friends what they look like. No roaches, ants, nothing. There is nothing that would ever entice me to live in a tropical climate again.

Don't waste your money on plug-in pest repellers. They do absolutely nothing. The FTC at one time contemplated taking them off the market.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

goodstuff · ‎03-09-2010

Those huge roaches we endure in the South (Palmetto bugs, water bugs, whatever you call them) are the ugliest, scariest things. Some of them are two or three inches long, they move really FAST, and some of them can FLY, too! One of the few creatures that can make me really scream and run. I despise them -- but they don't usually breed in the house; they come from outdoors. They live in mulch, under porches, in wooded areas, in rotted trees or logs, etc. You can spray in and right around your house (if you don't fear chemicals as I do), but roaches are notoriously hard to kill, and you can't get everything in the big outdoors. If you live in the South you'll see them outdoors around your house at night -- and sometimes they get in. I swear, you have to beat them to death with a broom! An unsavory part of life here.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 3/20/2014 happy housewife said:
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.

My grandparents retired to Florida, and lived there for over 30 years. Anyone who lives there and says they don't see at least the occasional bug in their house is obviously not paying attention, looking closely, or lives in denial. It's a given in the south, bugs are a part of life, inside and out.

My grandmother was the cleanest person I know, and they had regular visits from the exterminator, but there were the occasional bugs, no matter what. Palmetto bugs was what they called them. They also lived right on the river, so water probably didn't help.

No one wants to live with bugs, especially the nasty roaches, but for heavens sake, some people on here act as though anyone who ever saw a bug of any kind in their house must be mired in filth. Get off your high horses and quit passing judgement on people who come to ask for help with a real problem that you most likely have too, but won't admit.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

You live in ohio but you are telling those of us who do live here in florida that you know for certain we have a house full of bugs. Well, ok then, how could I argue with that logic.

And what some of the people here consider "clean" is a far cry from what some of us consider "clean" and it takes more than that - you have to be proactive about things like the containers you store food in. I have had one palmetto in 4 years of living here - he came in a bag of peaches from a produce stand - now I empty all produce containers outside into lock and lock containers before they come into the house. Fortunately my DH got it with wasp spray and killed it.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 4/22/2014 happy housewife said:
You live in ohio but you are telling those of us who do live here in florida that you know for certain we have a house full of bugs. Well, ok then, how could I argue with that logic.

And what some of the people here consider "clean" is a far cry from what some of us consider "clean" and it takes more than that - you have to be proactive about things like the containers you store food in. I have had one palmetto in 4 years of living here - he came in a bag of peaches from a produce stand - now I empty all produce containers outside into lock and lock containers before they come into the house. Fortunately my DH got it with wasp spray and killed it.

I live in Ohio, and have spent much time in Florida and throughout the south. I know of what I speak. I think you should learn not to put words in people's mouths. No where can you quote me saying "a house full of bugs". I said an occasional bug. And it really doesn't matter how they get in, they get in. Yes, even you have had a bug or two in your house, whether you want to admit it or not. It's a part of life,

And just how can you see through these computer screens and see just how "clean" anyone is or isn't. You make such far reaching judgments with no facts. Even the cleanest environments can get infested with bugs. How many more chemicals can you find for disinfecting than in a hospital, and they have problems with bugs (bedbugs most recently).

It isn't so much what you say, it is the way you tend to be so judgmental in your posts that turns people off. Your air of superiority grows old.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

One time I woke up early at Disneyworld - around 5AM.

There were troops of guys dressed like moonwalkers spraying all the foliage...everything!

No wonder you don't see many bugs or mosquitoes at WDW!

I also read the current leader in FLA has cut way back on mosquito spraying to save money. This is the first year we had no many ""no see 'ums"" by the beach/pool that we had to go inside.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

Before they built the homes in our plan they treated the dirt (sand) under where they were going to build to reduce the chance of getting termites. it is supposed to be effective for 5 years. They gave us a certificate at the closing guaranteeing it. The builder also included a year of service from a bug company (massey) in the deal. to me that was a real indication that continuing that service after that free year would be a good idea. They do not spray inside the house - just aro0und the perimeter and the doors and windows. And if there are any wasp nests up in the eaves they remove them.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

My daughter and family moved to the Orlando area in 2001. She soon learned that the bug problem must be handled by professionals. Exterminators come to her house several times a year. I have only seen ants when we visit but I know there are other beasties that the exterminators have eliminated. Still, it's an ongoing battle. The bugs were there first.