Mosquito query in the Seattle area (Redmond, Olympia: where to live, fence, gardening)

[Winter_fan]

Can anyone tell me if Washington (thinking Seattle/Redmond/Issaquah regions particularly) have any problems with mosquitos?
I'm really allergic to mozzie bites and so it's a big factor for me when considering where to live

Thanks!

[allforcats]

In my 22 adult years here, I might have been bitten ONCE by a mosquito, although I do recall wondering at the time if that was something else. If you spend a lot of time in brush and flowers, you'll probably get more bites. But I have never heard of anyone, at any time of the year, complaining about lots of mosquitoes, nor have I ever heard of anything alarming about mosquitoes on the local news broadcasts which I usually watch daily. Not to worry!

[Winter_fan]

Thank you very much, you've put my mind at ease!

[Ultrarunner]

I've been very surprised by not having any mosquito problems in Olympia WA...

[bye bye cali]

How funny that you mention skeeters. I too am very alergic...get big swollen arms...not pretty. I'm considering a move to Bainbridge Island/Kitsap county. Can anyone chime in about mosquitos or any other biting insects in the area?

[LMB]

We live about 5 miles from Bainbridge Island, and although we're near the waterfront, I didn't see any mosquitoes this past summer--our first summer here. There were lots of bees, wasps and some houseflies, so screens in the windows are necessary. There are quite a few spiders outside (and in), but 95% are harmless--just annoying to walk into their webs!

The only time I was bitten this summer was when I grabbed the top of a fence rail where, unknown to me, a yellow sac spider had a nest. They are very aggressive if threatened and their bite is poisonous, though not as bad as a brown recluse, hobo or black widow. My hand was swollen for three days, but otherwise I had no lasting effects. However, I learned to always wear work gloves when gardening or look before touching wood piles or fences!

Bainbridge is beautiful! Unless you live in the woods, you shouldn't have any problems with mosquitoes--I don't know if they're even in the wooded areas. Wonder why mosquitoes are so rare around here, especially with all the water around? We even have a creek in our backyard, but no mosquitoes.

Lynn

[bye bye cali]

whew one thing crossed off my list! thanks for the reply. maybe the cooler climate accounts for the lack of mosquitos. We don't have much water nearby but it gets hot here and I think mosquitos prefer a warmer climate. lucky to have a creek in your backyard. your property sounds lovely.

[woodinvilleguy]

I've seen plenty of skeeters in any places with trees and water. I'm a skeeter magnet and have been bitten many times in king county.

[lisa360]

I live in Tracyton, E Central Kitsap area. We have lots of mosquitos at dusk in the summer in our back yard. We don't have any water closer than a half a mile from our house. Just my experience.

[haggardhouseelf]

We live in Redmond, and in our area there is a lot of water (storm water ponds, creeks, wetlands...) and we experienced lots of mosquito's during the Summer... in the evenings especially. They were really awful. They aren't as big as the Texas mosquitoes I grew up with - but they are these tiny little vicious things. They hurt more when they bit you.