Bugs in Minneapolis (Anoka: house, neighborhoods, living in)

[kibblesandbits]

I'm considering moving to the Twin Cities from the mid-Atlantic and I have a question about bugs.

Specifically:

1) What is the flea problem like for people who have dogs? How bad are the fleas there?

2) I've heard the mosquitos are really bad in the Twin Cities. What kind of spraying does the city do? Do individual neighborhoods spray their areas as well? I am very against spraying/fogging for environmental health reasons as I have severe asthma that is set off by any kind of bug spray so I would want to know which neighborhoods to stay away from that do regular spraying/fogging.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by kibblesandbits

I'm considering moving to the Twin Cities from the mid-Atlantic and I have a question about bugs.

Specifically:

1) What is the flea problem like for people who have dogs? How bad are the fleas there?

2) I've heard the mosquitos are really bad in the Twin Cities. What kind of spraying does the city do? Do individual neighborhoods spray their areas as well? I am very against spraying/fogging for environmental health reasons as I have severe asthma that is set off by any kind of bug spray so I would want to know which neighborhoods to stay away from that do regular spraying/fogging.

In general, the bugs in MN are greatly over stated paticularly so in the metro area. Some may disagree with this, but they are probably not the type that goes out in the deep woods or other areas where bugs are truly horrible.

Fleas exist, but they are not anywhere near as bad as they are in the south. I have never had to use collars on our two dogs. There is some spraying done for skeeters, but I don't have specifics. The bugs can vary from year to year based on the weather too. Check air quality reports if you have asthma. We go from zero pollen to high pollen in spring. This can be a problem for some people.

[Astron1000]

I agree. The bugs are not really a problem in either of the central cities. There is a Metropolitan Mosquito Control District in the metro area (MMCD) that monitors the mosquito populations. You can get more info from them at the link above, including an interactive map of individual neighborhood spraying programs. The MMCD is conscientious about people's reactions to spraying and they are pretty good about doing the least amount to obtain the maximum effectiveness. I really don't think you'll have anything to worry about.

Living in the central city, my dogs never got fleas. They did on occasion get ticks though. Mostly because I would take them for walks along the rivers. Keep them away from wooded areas near the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and suburban/rural lakes in the spring and you'll not likely have any problems. The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District also has a tick ID program. You can actually mail them a dead tick and they will identify it! (The reason for ID is that the average Wood Tick does not present a problem. A Deer Tick however, can transmit Lyme Disease and you'll want to know which is which.)

[kibblesandbits]

Thanks for your responses. The website link someone posted looks very helpful.

Are the dates of spraying/fogging widely publicized--in newspapers, etc. I am very concerned about the idea of having a fogger come by and having windows open, pets in the yard, etc. I have a severe reaction to these sprays so this is a huge concern, especially with pregnancy.

[K-Luv]

In the ten years that I lived in Minneapolis I have to say that I do not recall ever seeing (or being bitten by) a flea.

In 1998 the mosquito problem seemed out of hand, but in 2006- 2007 it seemed as if the mosquitos almost completely disappeared.

I do recall a lot more bees and wasps during the summer of 07, though.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

IF I was you, I would call MMCD to see if they could give you heads-up when they spray. We live in Anoka County and have an old river bed behind our home. Air planes spray about once a year. I'm very sure that you could pin point that date by calling ahead. For those who want spraying, you get two personal sprays a year in Anoka County for free to coinside with parties etc. Just call a few days in advance and they will fog around your home with the "good stuff".

Mosquito and gnats are TERRIBLE when standing water occurs for a long time. So once very 3-5 years they get bad (rain storm after rain storms). Things get back together once it dries out so it isn't "bad" for the whole season. They don't appreciate the sun. Therefore usually don't have a problem in the daytime unless you are in the woods.

Re: flees. Never had a problem with out two dogs. Use "Frontline" for 100% results with both ticks and fleas. Ticks by far are more of a problem.

[sarahrose]

We have never had any issues with any bugs on our dog, however both myself and my husband have both had lyme disease in the last 2 years, we live in a wooded area that used to have alot of deer, but no longer does because of the newer development. If you walk through a wooded area, just make sure you check yourself after to make sure you have no little critters that have decided to come for a ride. Mosquitos are bad around lakes, ponds, and more wooded areas, but bug spray will keep tham away for the most part. BTW, the ticks that cause lyme are the tiny deer ticks, and there has been a huge increase in cases seen in the last 3 years....it can be a crippling disease if it is not treated right away...im not sure what it does to animals, but on humans it can be fatal. sorry, not trying to scare you, just wanting to make sure your aware.

[kibblesandbits]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

IF I was you, I would call MMCD to see if they could give you heads-up when they spray. We live in Anoka County and have an old river bed behind our home. Air planes spray about once a year. I'm very sure that you could pin point that date by calling ahead. For those who want spraying, you get two personal sprays a year in Anoka County for free to coinside with parties etc. Just call a few days in advance and they will fog around your home with the "good stuff".

Not sure why anyone would want fogging around their house with this stuff--it's toxic, you know and causes respiratory distress in people with asthma and sensitivities. The idea of air planes spraying is horrifying to me. Is when they do this widely publicized? I would not want to be outside when this is happening.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by kibblesandbits

Not sure why anyone would want fogging around their house with this stuff--it's toxic, you know and causes respiratory distress in people with asthma and sensitivities. The idea of air planes spraying is horrifying to me. Is when they do this widely publicized? I would not want to be outside when this is happening.

I have seen reports on the news about spraying in the past. I would think the link posted earlier would be the best resource. If I recall correctly, this is generally done at night.

If there were a lot of health problems related to spraying, it would not continue. Perhaps a phone call to the agency may help you understand exactly when and what they spray.