Insects, humidity - what's the real scoop...thinking about Houston metro? (Sugar Land: house, to buy)

[robertpolyglot]

I love all the good tidbits of info on the Houston thread.

Houston and the more affordable areas of California (inland) are what I've narrowed down in a job search. It's a professional type job, though not staggering in income as the description might imply.

Ok, now come the questions. What's with these mosquitoes and flying cockroaches people refer to? What about fire ants? C'mon, do these really exist to that degree and do they make life that miserable? My only humid continental living experience was Atlanta. Yes, it was humid and miserable in July and August. There were fire ants and some mosquitoes. I don't recall cockroaches. But, coming from the West, I had a good experience there.

So what is the reality of this. I am thinking nicer western suburbs or The Woodlands. Please help out on this as other threads caused some head scratching.

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

Ok, now come the questions. What's with these mosquitoes and flying cockroaches people refer to? What about fire ants? C'mon, do these really exist to that degree and do they make life that miserable? My only humid continental living experience was Atlanta. Yes, it was humid and miserable in July and August. There were fire ants and some mosquitoes. I don't recall cockroaches. But, coming from the West, I had a good experience there.

Houston is hotter and more humid, and, hence, more miserable than Atlanta. Though the city sprays regularly to keep the mosquito population down (depending upon where you live, there's even a mosquito control district with taxing authority) mosquitoes are found in abundance, especially in suburban areas. Indeed, many people find at times that they are not able to play outdoors because of the problem and if you Google "Houston Mosquito" you will find a number of companies whose sole business is offering services attempting to control the disease-carrying pests.

Yes, Houston is also home to large (approx 1-3 inch) dark brown roaches. See, for example, this photo: http://blogs.chron.com/tmi/image0022.jpg (broken link)
These roaches can fly a good 10 feet or so, especially when startled or cornered. These roaches are very common and, yes, they are vile. A local museum even recently offered cash for people's cockroaches: Houstonist: Houston Museum of Natural History Wants to Buy Your Roach

Somehow these ubiquitous annoyances and health hazards don't make it into the Houston booster's discussion about how great the Bayou City supposedly is....

[jfre81]

Those things are all over the South, including Georgia.

[houstoner]

They fly 10 feet? I don't know where people live. The only time I experienced the flying roaches was living in small town East Texas. And it wasn't like flying, more like a long jump of a few inches. I've never had a flying roach experience in all my time living in Houston (inside the loop).

It's not hot and humid now, and the bugs are practically nonexistent during the fall and winter. Somehow these FACTS don't make it into the Houston downers' discussion about how terrible the Bayou City supposedly is...

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by professorsenator

Though the city sprays regularly to keep the mosquito population down (depending upon where you live, there's even a mosquito control district with taxing authority) mosquitoes are found in abundance, especially in suburban areas. Indeed, many people find at times that they are not able to play outdoors because of the problem and if you Google "Houston Mosquito" you will find a number of companies whose sole business is offering services attempting to control the disease-carrying pests.

Yeah, but is it so bad that Houstonians are walking around full of welts during the summer months? One would think they would have to be near water, such as a lake or a creek. And, just how long is the nasty season. I was told, at worst, June 15 to September 15 (bugs and humidity).

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Those things are all over the South, including Georgia.

True, and the bugs and heat are all over Texas, just varying varieties and degrees, depending on what part you're in.

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by houstoner

It's not hot and humid now, and the bugs are practically nonexistent during the fall and winter. Somehow these FACTS don't make it into the Houston downers' discussion about how terrible the Bayou City supposedly is...

I couldn't have said this any better myself.

And also like jfre81 said, mosquitos and bugs exist in all of the south, georgia, florida which includes popular cities of miami and orlando. But people act like Houston's alone in that problem to again show how terrible the Bayou City supposedly is.

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

I was told, at worst, June 15 to September 15 (bugs and humidity).

I would add a good month at both ends of that. By May temperatures are often hitting into the 90's and temps don't begin to moderate until well into October--September is typically hot and humid (the average high temp for Sept. 15 is 89F; average high for Oct. 15 is a bone-chilling 82F). Thus, you can count on bugs, heat, and humidity for at least 6 months out of the year in Houston. ( For historical weather data, go to Welcome to The Weather Underground : Weather Underground )

[tstone]

Originally Posted by houstoner

They fly 10 feet? I don't know where people live. The only time I experienced the flying roaches was living in small town East Texas. And it wasn't like flying, more like a long jump of a few inches. I've never had a flying roach experience in all my time living in Houston (inside the loop).

Absolutely they fly 10 ft just to get going! If they're skilled enough they can fly all over your house as you chase it. SW/Sugar Land, Clear Lake, inner loop, everywhere I've lived around here, I see at least 1 (at most 2) in the house every summer when things get dry. They come inside in search of water and probably sense the droplets in the sink. But when they fly they are somewhat aimless. The wings' noise is unmistakable. After I knock one down with a newspaper, I just send my dog to finish it off. Not a big deal really. You'll never see them swarm outside, either.

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by C2H (ComingtoHouston)

I couldn't have said this any better myself.

And also like jfre81 said, mosquitos and bugs exist in all of the south, georgia, florida which includes popular cities of miami and orlando. But people act like Houston's alone in that problem to again show how terrible the Bayou City supposedly is.

Don't forget New Orleans! They also get stinging caterpillars falling out of trees randomly every spring. Even if you manage to avoid them, which is kinda hard, it's pretty disgusting walking around with dead caterpillars squishing under your feet. But you don't hear a lot about that in the city's list of negatives for some reason!