What about bugs??? (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Franklin: how much, homes, allergies)

[Kentuckian]

I have read from one lady on the forum that if you do not like bugs do not live here. I also have a friend that tells me the same. She has not lived in your state but does stay regularly in Michigan. They refer to them as bugs on steroids as well as ear wigs. They tell me horror stories that eat on you until you cant leave your home in the summer and that they get in your homes and that you have to keep a cover on any food cooking even a cup of coffee to keep them from getting in. Then I have another friend who has moved from Milwaukee to Florida that says she has no clue what I am talking about. Is this something that is just in the northern part or just some freaky weird rumor.
We really want to live there but we will be visiting in February so we will not know if the bug thing is true. Can anyone help???

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Kentuckian

I have read from one lady on the forum that if you do not like bugs do not live here. I also have a friend that tells me the same. She has not lived in your state but does stay regularly in Michigan. They refer to them as bugs on steroids as well as ear wigs. They tell me horror stories that eat on you until you cant leave your home in the summer and that they get in your homes and that you have to keep a cover on any food cooking even a cup of coffee to keep them from getting in. Then I have another friend who has moved from Milwaukee to Florida that says she has no clue what I am talking about. Is this something that is just in the northern part or just some freaky weird rumor.
We really want to live there but we will be visiting in February so we will not know if the bug thing is true. Can anyone help???

You know what the Wisconsin State Bird is? The Mosquito. (Just kidding. Barely.)

Still, mosquitoes are only bad in the summertime. Whatever your friends' problem is, it's something other than mosquitoes. If they have to cover their coffee cup, they've got a problem and should call an exterminator. The problem they describe sounds like an abnormal infestation in their house.

[Kentuckian]

I was worried my kids wouldn't even be able to play outside. Maybe it is just a Michigan thing. Thanks for replying!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Kentuckian

I was worried my kids wouldn't even be able to play outside. Maybe it is just a Michigan thing. Thanks for replying!

Oh, the mosquitoes can get quite bad in the summer, depending on how much rain comes in the spring. The more spring rain, the bigger the summer mosquito "crop" if you will. It gets worse the further north you go. One summer it got so bad up north that you could literally hear the sky start to buzz just after sundown.

When the mosquitoes are bad, you have three options:

• Stay indoors in the evenings
• Enjoy the summer evenings by bathing in DEET (and don't let anyone tell you that Avon Skin-So-Soft is an effective mosquito repellent. It is -- for about 20 minutes)
• Enjoy the summer night without mosquito repellant while the mosquitos chew you alive and/or carry you off.

Mosquitoes can be a problem during the day as well, but nighttime is their primary snacking hours. And again, they are a summer problem only. They don't start to show up until about June and are gone with the first frost in the autumn.

[BrewCityChamp]

Is it any worse than Kentucky, Kentuckian?

It's humid, yes. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance sometimes. But it's pretty chilled out in Milwaukee overall.Not too bad. If you're in a woodsy burb like Muskego and hanging out at 10 PM unprotected on a lawn chair you'll get bit up, but it's not at epidemic levels like a swarm of locusts.

It's a consideration in some parts, but the other thing is out of the 52 weeks on the calendar, Mosquitoes may only be a factor for 18 months total.

Not a deal breaker.

No smog, no Traffic, great cost of living, and mega-quality life everywhere.
If that means having a few mosquito bites here and there, I'll take it.

[BrewCityChamp]

... I meant to say weeks not months.

18 weeks out of 52.

Don't worry about bugs.

[rsm951977]

As far as Michigan, the state is surrounded by water!!!! Of course there will be bugs!!!! Mosquitos breed in water. With all the lakes and rivers that is a given. Is Wisconsin as bad as Michigan though??? We're moving from SE Michigan to Franklin Wisconsin.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by rsm951977

As far as Michigan, the state is surrounded by water!!!! Of course there will be bugs!!!! Mosquitos breed in water. With all the lakes and rivers that is a given. Is Wisconsin as bad as Michigan though??? We're moving from SE Michigan to Franklin Wisconsin.

I do not believe Wisconsin is "as bad" as Michigan (or Minnesota for that matter) regarding mosquitos, however, it still can be a significant issue. The two "bummers" of summers in Wisconsin: a) mosquitos, and b) allergies (if you suffer from them). Still, being used to Michigan, you won't have a problem in WI.

[Kentuckian]

Thanks everyone for your help. From your posts it seems I should have no concerns. I visited your city this past week and found it to be very nice. Really enjoyed getting to see Lake Michigan was much larger than I had imagined, and the people were very welcoming to this Kentucky (originally NC) family.

[grifgraysmom]

Hi there Kentuckian, we live in Kentucky as well and will be moving to Wisconsin in a couple of mos. My husband is already working in Waukesha. I have so many concerns; sounds like you do as well. Maybe we could help one another as we research what appears to be a beautiful state! Private message me if you'de like. I'd love to know what part of KY you are from!

Good luck with your move!