pool cage and no see um screen (Tampa, Port Charlotte: new home, fence)

[CharlotteCo]

Getting ready to have my pool cage rescreened. After the hurricane, I had a few panels that ripped and repaired them myself with screen from Home Depot. Did not realize it at the time but the screen I bought was no see um screen. After installing I noticed that whenever these panels got wet they were like a sheet of water and you could not see thru them until the sun evaporated the water. Was thinking of going with no see um screen on all the walls until I experienced this. I'm concerned that with the rainy season coming up I will not be able to see out of the cage at all for hours on end and feel boxed in. Has anyone done this and do you regret it? is it just the screen I bought or does all no see um screen do this? I hate the no see ums with a passion but also like my view and would hate to loose it even for a few hours. Any suggestions?

[MikMal]

I don't have no see um screening but I have the same issue when it rains heavy. When I re-screened back in 2012 I used something called "Super Screen".

[FlaNewbie2017]

I changed to No Seeum screen from regular. There are definitely pluses and minuses. My wife gets eaten by the No Seeums. The new screen keeps them out. How the screen does that is by smaller holes. The smaller holes cuts down visibility (especially on an angle view), blocks a lot more wind, blocks more sun and does hold water for a short period of time when it is raining hard. We did that screen on the side walls and doors. We used regular screen on the top panels as they say No Seeums only fly 6' high.
If I had to do it over again I would definitely go back to regular and my wife would definitely go with the No Seeum screen.

[CharlotteCo]

Thanks for the replies. On the fence with the no see um screen. Was going to paint the framing myself before the re screen but now I'm thinking I might be biting off more than I can chew. Has anyone had their cage re painted and could you guys recommend someone that works the Englewood/Port Charlotte area. South Gulf Cove to be exact. Appreciate any feedback.

[Roanoke Bound]

Hi!

I am in Roanoke, VA, and these annoying little bugs are driving me nuts!

Has anyone tried spraying the screens with no seeum repellant?

As for personal repellant, everyone is Mississippi swears by Avon Skin so Soft Bug Guard PLUS Insect Repellent Lotion. It even has 30 spf and comes in different scents. I haven't tried it yet but just ordered some. Apparently, you have to get the PLUS version to repell no seeums.

Any traps y'all have found helpful?

[Jo's Garage]

Originally Posted by FlaNewbie2017

I changed to No Seeum screen from regular. There are definitely pluses and minuses. My wife gets eaten by the No Seeums. The new screen keeps them out. How the screen does that is by smaller holes. The smaller holes cuts down visibility (especially on an angle view), blocks a lot more wind, blocks more sun and does hold water for a short period of time when it is raining hard. We did that screen on the side walls and doors. We used regular screen on the top panels as they say No Seeums only fly 6' high.
If I had to do it over again I would definitely go back to regular and my wife would definitely go with the No Seeum screen.

I believe they can go higher than 6 feet. After a hard rain, my pool is covered with them. They get knocked through the screen by the rain and float on top until I skim the pool.

[FlaNewbie2017]

That must be some other bugs as you can't Seeum.
We used the finer mesh the full height of the side panels.

[Deucegirl7272]

Wow! Please keep this thread going. I just moved to Northwest Tampa on the water and I am so miserable in my new “dream home”. I feel like I must have fairy blood for the no see ums!!! The itch is soooo bad. I’ve been applying peppermint oil directly to the bites for relief and it has helped tremendously. Unfortunately it also keeps my man at a distance I woke up in middle of night feeling like I got bit all over again and I prob did from having doors open. We moved here Saturday and it’s only Tuesday and I can’t deal. I ordered the skin so soft plus and have my fingers crossed. I have sprayed my self with OFF but that didn’t work. Sprayed house and doors with bug spray and still bites EVERYWHERE! We have a screen company coming today and I def want the 20X20 mesh. Plus the marina in my back yard so it will give more privacy and won’t feel the need to cover up every time someone walks by
Thanks everyone! I will take any advice to keep me in my new home. Does citronella even work?

[FireStation46]

Other options are using the various versions of Thermacell.

They have small portable devices you can clip onto you pants to larger stationary lantern type devices.

They create a zone of protection that really works! No need to spray repellants on your skin or clothes.


https://www.thermacell.com/

[FlaNewbie2017]

That is what the screen people told me. I Googled it and can't find any solid info to back it up though. We put the no see um screen on the sides and regular on the top. My wife has not been bothered by them since.