Bugs! Snakes! Alligators! - Oh My! (Orlando, Spring Hill: apartment complex, rent, insurance)

[beckypooh1972]

So we are looking to move to Florida by year end. There's me, hubby, 2 little boys, and our Jack Russell terrier. We've vacationed in Florida for the past 11 years so we know about the the bugs (love bugs in September), snakes (never saw one), and alligators.

My question is: how big of a problem is nature in FL?:

Which communities provide some pest control, including spraying for mosquitoes?

Do apartment communities provide pest control regularly?

Is it typical to find snakes or alligators in and around apartment communities?

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm prepared to tolerate the critters in Florida but I would like guidance on best places to be to avoid most of them.

[kbrkr]

I think it's worse in the North where you have Deer jumping out into the road at night.

I do not see any more bugs, gators, etc than what I saw up north. I have seen a few Armadillos in my backyard. And my community has posted Bobcat warnings. But it's no big deal. You and your family will be just fine. Just don't go swimming in retaining ponds!!!

[FloridaKash]

Snakes an Gators may be around your apartment community, depending where it is at, how many retaining ponds it has, etc.

Most snakes are black racers, they are harmless. I haven't had any experience with gators other than going to a State Preserved Parks where I saw a few but I was looking for them and seeking them out. Wasn't scary at all.

If you are going to live in an apartment complex, pick one that appears to be well maintained. Otherwise bugs may be a problem.

[Maggi07]

I see black racers frequently. We have a great big one (for black racer standards) that lives in our yard. I like it because I think it means other, dangerous, snakes are less likely to be here.

I see alligators all the time; they're in most every lake/golf course water hazard/retention pond. I haven't seen one wandering around streets or yards yet. Just stay away from them, especially during mating season, and keep your kids and dog away from the edge of the water. When my kids and I go walking around a lake, my rule is if your feet leave the path, we are going home.

I would imagine any decent apartment complex would provide pest control. Just ask when you are looking around.

[Spring Hillian]

Funny you should mention deer. When I moved from Orlando to Spring Hill my auto insurance went UP a few dollars. Huh? I called them and said "hey, I am a rural area, less traffic than Orlando. Whats up with that?"

Answer: "You might hit a deer".

Hey, we have a gopher tortise that lives under the slab of our screen room.
It made a nice little place for itself out there. The cats catch black racers now and then, mostly lizards. We don't see many Armadillos expect road kill. I think they are neat as they waddle around. Cats brought in a tiny possum a few weeks ago. It got out alive. Gotta love the wildlife though. Bugs? Saw more roaches and rats in NYC than I've ever seen here. I'd have to say more mosquitoes up north too.

Originally Posted by kbrkr

I think it's worse in the North where you have Deer jumping out into the road at night.

I do not see any more bugs, gators, etc than what I saw up north. I have seen a few Armadillos in my backyard. And my community has posted Bobcat warnings. But it's no big deal. You and your family will be just fine. Just don't go swimming in retaining ponds!!!

[Tim Tim Tim]

I wouldnt say there a big issue. The gators and snakes are my last worry, the bugs can be a bit worse then other areas, misquitos in paticular.

the only snakes I see are black racers or those little tiny garden snakes, both of which are harmless. I see gators every now and then, Actually saw one on the side of dale mabry not even close to any apparent lakes (dale mabry is a busy 8 laned highway here in west tampa). generally they are more scared of you then you are of them and seeing the gigantic ones you see at the zoo or on tv are really rare.

[gardenpearl]

The only thing that scares me about living in Florida year round would be the potential for insect infestation during the very hot, humid weather in the summer. I would think it could be a tough battle.

When I have rented different places in the winters, most times bugs have not been a problem. I have seen an occasional insect inside, however, which leads me to believe that summer could be more problematic.

[FloridaKash]

I currently rent a single family home. It was infested when we moved in. It sucked and the landlord said he wasn't going to do anything about it because the previous tenant never had the problem. He was on sound legal footing so I had to take care of the problem. I hired a national pest service, he sucked. So, as I did when we lived in Texas, I did it myself. After bombing, spraying and filling up holes with about 8 - 12 bottles of caulk I haven't had a problem. I go to the DIY Pesticide store, get my stuff, mix it up and spray every 3 - 6 months. It costs me afraction of what it would cost to have that lame pest service do it and since I live here I do a better job and mam more careful.

I understand there are a lot of people out there who are against pesticides and that's fine... I respect your opinion. But I cannot stand roaches, ants or earwigs... therefore I spray.

[BucFan]

don't want to mention that killer turtle epidemic a few years back

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by BucFan

don't want to mention that killer turtle epidemic a few years back

Shh... you dont want to bring that up