How do Dogs and Cats adjust to Charleston? (Aiken, Wagener: house, neighborhood)

[Luvsdabeach]

I was in total shock when the blood test results came back positive for it. I live in Goose Creek and they spray after heavy rains. The mosquito's have never been bad in my area.

Working in downtown Charleston I hear from people that live along the coast that complain about mosquito's and no-see-ums.

No-see-ums are small biting flies that appear during the summer months. These tiny biting insects are barely visible to the naked eye, but their bites can be very painful and annoying.

[emilybh]

I think Avon Skin-so-soft is a mosquito repellant that is effective and non-toxic.

Don't the screens of screen porches keep the no-seeums out?

That's terrible Luvsdabeach that your cat got West Nile Virus. Is there a lot of West Nile Virus in Charleston we'd need to guard against?

[Luvsdabeach]

I know a lot of people that use Skin-so-soft.

If the screen is a finer screen it will keep most of them out. Regular screens are still large enough for them to get through.

My cat is fine now but it was touch and go there for about a month. Here are the stats for 2007 West Nile virus.

http://www.dhec.sc.gov/health/lab/mi...Cases_2007.pdf

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by Luvsdabeach

I know a lot of people that use Skin-so-soft.

If the screen is a finer screen it will keep most of them out. Regular screens are still large enough for them to get through.

My cat is fine now but it was touch and go there for about a month. Here are the stats for 2007 West Nile virus.

http://www.dhec.sc.gov/health/lab/mi...Cases_2007.pdf

It looks like 2003 was the worst year for the West Nile Virus down there based on that report.

That is a bummer about the noseeums. Are they out all the time or just at night? Also, are they everywhere or just in certain places?

[emilybh]

Just thought of something.... even though you keep your pets indoors,....let's say you want to open the windows to let the breeze in on a beautiful dry day in September.....By doing so, will you let the noseeums into your house?????

[DJShymansky]

Screens will keep them out. More would come in with you while going in and out the front door than would come through a screen window. I have my windows open all fall and spring, never had a problem with flying bugs inside.

[Luvsdabeach]

"Homeowners can install proper screening for windows and patios to prevent no-see-ums from entering residences and outdoor areas used for leisure and entertaining. Most biting midges can pass through 16-mesh insect wire screen and netting, so a smaller mesh size is required. The small mesh size does limit air flow through the screens, and an alternative is to treat screens with a long-lasting insecticide that will be fatal to the no-see-ums that land on the screen. Additionally, because no-see-ums are so small and are weak fliers, ceiling and window fans can be used at high speeds to keep no-see-ums out of small areas."

Courtesy of:
biting midges, no-see-ums, Culicoides spp.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by Luvsdabeach

"Homeowners can install proper screening for windows and patios to prevent no-see-ums from entering residences and outdoor areas used for leisure and entertaining. Most biting midges can pass through 16-mesh insect wire screen and netting, so a smaller mesh size is required. The small mesh size does limit air flow through the screens, and an alternative is to treat screens with a long-lasting insecticide that will be fatal to the no-see-ums that land on the screen. Additionally, because no-see-ums are so small and are weak fliers, ceiling and window fans can be used at high speeds to keep no-see-ums out of small areas."

Courtesy of:
biting midges, no-see-ums, Culicoides spp.

Thanks Luvs. What A BUMMER about the screen situation and keeping no-seeums out. I guess a four seasons room is going to be more preferable to a screen porch then for most people if the screen doesn't even keep out the noseeums....and who wants a screen with such a close mesh it restricts airflow? I also really don't like the idea of spraying poisons on the screen either, then what happens if my cat leans against it and licks himself off?
What do people do down there? I guess you can't go outside at night on your porch if it is a warm still night with out pest control stuff all over your skin - yuck! Is that the only way you can enjoy your porches.

[Luvsdabeach]

It really depends on where you decide to live. If you live near any water you will see them if there isn't a good breeze, that seems to keep them at bay. Along the coast there are many creeks. Out here in Goose Creek I haven't seen any. I'm sure they are near some of the water but I'm not near it. From what I've read on other forums on here they are common no matter where you live.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Alligators may try to eat small animals but not around the marsh. They cannot tolerate saltwater and will die if exposed to it for too long. If you are near a freshwater pond such as on a golf course the alligators are more of a nuisance but a fence will keep them out of the yard.

We only have 6 types of venomous snakes in SC so they shouldn't be worry to you at all. If you see a snake it's most likely to be a rat snake or an eastern king snake, neither of which is a threat to your cat. In fact, the only snakes that would probably pose a real threat to a cat or small dog would be E.Diamondback or a Timber Rattler.

There's no reason for snakes or alligators to prevent a move to a lovely city like Charleston.