Pests, critters, bugs ?? (Irvine, Mission Viejo: apartments, house, neighborhoods)

[GandJandB]

As we continue to gather information before we move I have a question. Here in South NJ in the grass and wooded areas we have a lot of ticks and other pest. The little ticks cause many problems and the real bad deer ticks cause sickness. At the NJ beaches certian times of the year the flys are bad.
Are there any pest problems at the beach in OC? Are there pest problems around the homes or apartments?

I will request the information be limited to regular clean middle to upclass housing and shopping areas, and the human pest I already know about.
Anyone can go on and on about dirty substandard areas wether it is NJ, FL, NY, Tx or Ca.

Thanks for the info and local knowledge.

[bhcompy]

Even in clean areas, roaches and rats can be problematic. They are primary pests in the area.

Possums live all over and can rummage around in your back yard, as well as gophers. Not much you can do to keep them away(at least legally) if you have that problem.

The most common pests are argentine ants(black ants) and termites(subterranean and drywood). Wasps and Africanized Bees are a problem in summer months as well.

There are many species of spiders that live around here, but the only common dangerous one is the Black Widow, and they can be averted by keeping clutter to a minimum somewhat.

Depending on where you live in So Cal, snakes can be common, with the deadliest being a rattlesnake. This is also one of your biggest concerns if you go hiking.

[GandJandB]

Any biting flys or sand fleas on the beach? How about jelly fish?

[MisterDuke]

The flies at the beach are only around places where seaweed has washed up on shore. Avoid the seaweed, avoid the flies. I've never been bitten, but they're pretty annoying. I've never heard of sand fleas. Jelly fish are around, but not really an issue.

I used to go hiking a lot. I never had a problem with ticks, but snakes are very common.

If your house is next to wilderness or open land you'll have a lot more encounters with wildlife than if you live deeper in suburbia.

[OC Investor2]

Originally Posted by GandJandB

As we continue to gather information before we move I have a question. Here in South NJ in the grass and wooded areas we have a lot of ticks and other pest. The little ticks cause many problems and the real bad deer ticks cause sickness. At the NJ beaches certian times of the year the flys are bad.
Are there any pest problems at the beach in OC? Are there pest problems around the homes or apartments?

I will request the information be limited to regular clean middle to upclass housing and shopping areas, and the human pest I already know about.
Anyone can go on and on about dirty substandard areas wether it is NJ, FL, NY, Tx or Ca.

Thanks for the info and local knowledge.

Irvine is notorious for ants - there is a reason the UCI mascot is an anteater. Termites are also a common issue.

One big difference from back east is Coyotes. If you live in south county near a green belt or in Mission Viejo, Landera, RSM, etc. that are close to the Cleveland Nat'l forest make sure you keep pets indoors - outdoor cats and small dogs soon become coyote chow. Heck, even in westpark in Irvine a coyote took off after a toddler at a park dad had to beat it off the scared child.

Black widow and brown recluse spiders are also a concern.

[OC Investor2]

Originally Posted by GandJandB

Any biting flys or sand fleas on the beach? How about jelly fish?

There have been Jellyfish "infestations" when currents or some other ocean condition brings swarms of jellyfish to the beaches, but it is uncomon.

Seals & sea lions can be an issue. Sometimes in Newport harbor you'll hear about some 1 ton Sea lion will try to get on a small boat to sun itself and end up sinking the boat!

No horseshoe crabs here either.

[KaraG]

We didn't notice a problem with mosquitoes or flies (except around kelp/seawood on the beach), but you're right, ants are everywhere and you need to stay on top of them. Rats seem to be everywhere as well since they nest in the beautiful landscaped slopes and they can be a problem if they get in your roofs. We had a baby rattlesnake in our driveway, coyotes running up the street, a gopher tearing up our yard and a mountain lion 2 blocks away.

[Raelyn28]

Roaches are horrible in Southern California even in upscale neighborhoods. the only way to get rid of them is a monthly visit from the exterminator. Ants are a problem and I have seen a few jellyfish in the ocean. Just like any other place there are always pests of some kind. Southern Cal has a mediterranian climate which bugs and pests love along with plants.. I had the most gorgeous plants in my home in OC.. I miss that part of it but not the pests

[Raelyn28]

Wow!! I lived in the area for over two decades and never saw a black widow or brown recluse. I didn't know they were common to Southern California?? Now roaches are another issue.. Yuk, I hate those things. They are worse than spiders in my opinion...

Originally Posted by OC Investor2

Irvine is notorious for ants - there is a reason the UCI mascot is an anteater. Termites are also a common issue.

One big difference from back east is Coyotes. If you live in south county near a green belt or in Mission Viejo, Landera, RSM, etc. that are close to the Cleveland Nat'l forest make sure you keep pets indoors - outdoor cats and small dogs soon become coyote chow. Heck, even in westpark in Irvine a coyote took off after a toddler at a park dad had to beat it off the scared child.

Black widow and brown recluse spiders are also a concern.

[bhcompy]

Brown recluse is not common/indigenous to CA, but the black widow is.