Bugs in Bemidji (Brainerd, Red Lake: renting, purchase, YMCA)

[whoadammit]

My husband may be doing some temp work in Bemidji. I thought I would come and visit from time to time and was wondering if the blood sucking bugs are a big problem? They just seem to be attracted to me for some reason and I just want to know what I will be up against.

WD

[golfgal]

When will you be there? You really probably only have to worry about them at dusk/dark but the rest of the day they aren't a problem. I love Bemidji!

[whoadammit]

It will be off and on summer thru fall. I know that you have many lakes around ,so I assume there are lots of mosquito's? How do you like it there? I was thinking of bringing along my mountain bike, as I would think there are wooded areas with trails for riding. I have never been anywhere near that part of the country and I am looking forward to seeing a place I've not been before.

Thanks,
WD

[Lindenin]

With beautiful lakes and woods come a few bugs.

In most cities, they work hard to get rid of the larvae in the spring, so you don't have bad bug problems in the city limits.

[golfgal]

Bemidji is my favorite part of the state. I love the pine forests. My Grandpa lived there for over 60 years/Dad grew up there so we spent a lot of time there. It has been pretty dry there so the bugs might not be too bad this year. If you are going to bike in the woods around there you will have to be aware of woodticks.

There is a great bike trail that runs from Brainerd to Bemidji too.

[Delaneyland]

Any bug dope with DEET will keep most of them away, DEET is a wonderful thing. I don't know what type of "bloodsucking" bugs you're thinking about but I hate horseflies and gnats most, they usually get you before you can get them. Of course, if you like swimming, you'll not get any help from bloodsuckers by using DEET but at least those little devils don't hurt or cause swelling. Certainly nothing to "worry" about.

[Kamsack]

Originally Posted by whoadammit

It will be off and on summer thru fall. I know that you have many lakes around ,so I assume there are lots of mosquito's? How do you like it there? I was thinking of bringing along my mountain bike, as I would think there are wooded areas with trails for riding. I have never been anywhere near that part of the country and I am looking forward to seeing a place I've not been before.

Thanks,
WD

THere are many bike trails in the Bemidji area....there is one very long one which is about 100 miles lone connecting Bemidji to Brainerd called Paul Bunyan trail, and other smaller ones around Lake Bemidji State Park and Itasca State Park...and a whole lot more. Here are few links I dug up...but there are more than this out there. Check with a local bike shop in town when you arrive... The ones in the state parks would require the purchase of Minnesota state park permit.

Around Lake Bemidji
http://physics.bemidjistate.edu/gallery/sattbemlakepics/aroundlakepics.htm (broken link)

http://www.paulbunyantrail.com/

Here is a review of different trails throughout north central MN
http://www.trails.com/activity.asp?area=10323


Enjoy your time in the area. I love the Bemidji area very nice area to visit. Yes mosquitos are present....though amount depends on amount of rainfall in the spring/summer. Last year was a dry year so mosquitos were very few compared to normal. But bring along your repellent for sure.

Dan

[randymn]

You're gonna love it here in Bemidji. Bring your Off. Mosquitoes can be annoying on warm calm evenings but they're nothing you're going to need a bee-keepers outfit for. Horse flies love Off, but they're not that prevalent except on hot summer days at the beach. Leeches ("bloodsuckers") vary from lake to lake. I've lived on Grace Lake for nearly 40 years, active in the water, and can't recall the last time I've ever gotten one. If you spend a lot of time in tall vegetation or in heavily wooded areas, wood ticks can be a problem, but only in the spring.

I'm certain you'll find the stories of blood sucking vile creatures of the far north-woods to be mainly bragging. We also have no poisonous snakes or poisonous spiders, our lakes have some huge fish, but no man-eaters. When hiking or biking, beware of our abundance of vicious squirrels, chipmunks, white-tailed deer and bald eagles. You're going to love it here. If there's anything I can do to help make your stay more enjoyable, feel free to contact me.

Randy.

[hi ppl]

what about the winter, what is there to do besides ice fish.
what about activities for kids, clubs..

[MidniteBreeze]

Originally Posted by hi ppl

what about the winter, what is there to do besides ice fish.
what about activities for kids, clubs..

Snowmobiling is big. Some people also enjoy cross country skiiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and of course, hockey! Ice fishing is actually pretty fun...if you've never done it before, I recommend renting a "permanent" (hard sided) fish house. They range from basic models with chairs and a heater to fancy "sleeper" ones with kitchens, satellite TV's, etc. We went up to Red Lake last winter and caught a mess of HUGE crappies and some nice walleyes too.

Kids actually adapt much better to winter than adults...simple things like going sledding or building a snow fort can be a lot of fun for kids. Of couse Bemidji has anything you'd expect in any other town that size as far as youth sports, YMCA, etc.