Retention ponds in area developments - do they breed mosquitoes? (Bothell: house, live)

[ElektroDragon]

I'm putting offers on a Bothell house in a development where there will be a small retention pond across the street from the house. How big a problem will this be in terms of attracting bugs and breeding mosquitoes? Does anyone have experiences with the retention ponds in these new developments? Are they swarming with bugs, dragonfiles, or mosquitoes in the summer? Thanks!

[Ira500]

I think mostly around here there aren't huge bug issues. I've never seen a dragonfly, and mosquitoes only rarely( and only right around dusk), and I've been around these retention ponds and never experienced bugs, but I didn't live across the street from one and the sample size is too small.
I have heard that there are drainage issues with retention ponds, that they don't accomplish what they are intended to, but I don't think bugs are a big concern. Bugs seem to thrive in places that are hot and humid in the summer, and it doesn't stay that way here for long enough for the bugs to thrive?

[ElektroDragon]

Thanks Ira, that makes sense. Any other comments would be welcome, especially from anyone who lives very close to one.

[texastrigirl]

Do they have mosquitoes here?? I am originally a Midwestern girl and they are insufferable there. We back up to a wetland which is water all year around and I have never noticed mosquitoes.

[jenlion]

TX, I see mosquitoes here, but I swear they aren't as vicious as mosquitoes in the south and midwest. I get bitten sometimes, but I'm not tearing my skin open for the next week with an insane itch here. I don't think I'm THAT enamored of the area to let it color my assessment of the hated mosquito... they just really aren't as bad. At least, they weren't last year!

My husband, on the other hand, who was not as bothered by TX mosquitoes as I was (I HATE THEM), is bothered MORE by them here. Perhaps there's two types of mosquitoes and people react in different ways to them.

[Ira500]

I think there's something to that, Jenlion.
I've experienced mosquitoes at Marymoor Park, around sunset time. They left my wife alone but feasted on me.
Yet growing up in New jersey, the mosquitoes were plentiful ( and the size of small dogs) but never bothered with me.

[texastrigirl]

You couldn't go outside in Iowa for 15 seconds without getting bitten 15 times. The big welts were just horrible. We had them in Austin, TX though they did not seem as bad. We still used bug repellent though. I haven't bought or needed bug repellent since I moved here in July 2007 and like I said, I live right off of Pine Lake and a wetland area. Just my experience here.

[texastrigirl]

Here's a link to an old thread on the topic

http://www.city-data.com/forum/seatt...ttle-area.html

[jinj]

They breed frogs, which in turn eat the bugs. I love hearing the frogs too.