Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Snakes, Spiders and Bugs..


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:
Snakes, Spiders and Bugs..


Just starting my adventure in Florida..

So far I can get by the 4-5 snakes thate roamed through our campground.. Including a nice sized coral snake I almost walked into.. I can even get by the hand sized spiders all over the place, Even get by the mounds and mounds of red ants, and mosquitoes..

But, Man, these no see'em 's really something. They seem to be at our campground and everywhere we go in FL.

I must have 30 bites on me now. I was wearing shorts.. and now have switch to pants..And afraid to sit outside in fear of being eaten alive.. 

 

Anyone have any tricks to keep these things aways? 

Are these things everywhere in florida? 

 



__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2950
Date:

A fan outside for starters.....florida is full of sand fleas also......wait til you run into a python or boa down there then you will have really seen a snake!!!...(14+ft.)

of course the most dangerous species in Florida is the Yankee blue hair......it tends to lurk along the concrete sidewalks and frequents most early bird specials.......they can be identified by their mode of transportation habits....mostly you will notice the white knuckles which protrude normally at the top of the steering wheel and the head being slightly lower.....another good identifier would be they seem to travel the wrong way on a one-way.

be very cautious upon approaching one ......they have been known to eject their teeth during speech & feeding

__________________

 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1661
Date:

biggrinbiggrinbiggrin, LMAO Mike.

As for a bug suggestion, try higher elevation... say 10000 feet higher,.... in a different state.... just a thoughtbiggrin

Brian



__________________

Brian, Cindi & Josie (our fur baby)
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie 4x4 CCLB, CTD, Aisin, B&W hitch, dually
2020 Keystone Montana Legacy 3813MS w/FBP ,
MORryde 8k IS, Kodiak disc brakes, no solar  YET!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1248
Date:

ROFLMAO, Mike! I almost spit out the beer I was drinking! Sadly, I may turn into one of those in a few years.

I thought the noseeums were only during the summer. I was fortunate that when I was in FL I only experienced the sand fleas and gnats, which are just downright annoying (as were the lovebugs) but at least they don't bite.

__________________

Cheryl B. in her new RV

(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)

2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)

My blog is http://mitcheryl-rv-journey.blogspot.com/

My business: www.AZAdminSolutions.com



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1509
Date:

.......Also the Palmetto Bugs are HUGE.

__________________

My Dreams...............Her Nightmares.

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

Yea I hear that on the blue hair folk..

I've always been outdoors type as well..However, for 42 years or so.. it was limited to the northeast, mainly the adirondacks and Vermont..

Black flies and mosquitoes was the worst of it..

Maybe i just hit a swarm and was drinking or something... one day I had nothing .. seems the nextday I had 40 bites..

Been reading on them.. not alot that can be done. thankfully, we are moving on the first.. I doubt we will see this kind wildlife there.. this is a wild life preserve area.. lots of otters, bald eagles, big white birds and black ones, and vultures and hawks, etc...

And spiders , snakes, and 1000 different bugs that bite..lol

__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 289
Date:

Nature in balance can make all the difference. Here, Kansas, in the 2 towns we have lived in, fleas, spiders, etc. are bad. The last town had an flea epidemic and I use natural products which was exhausting trying to keep up with it. We moved into an RV park outside of town for 3 months after our last house sold and I was horrified as I looked at the dirt roads and weeds. No pests bothered us. In AZ, we had a horned toad that would sit in the front yard and eat the stream of ants that came through, problem solved. I did see here that we have a salamander, fat one, and bugs are now starting to disappear.

The more sugar in your system, the more attractive you are to many bugs. We use the Avon Skin-So-Soft heavy duty one. I had some luck with tea tree oil also. I would avoid bananas in mosquito country for sure.

In NC, in the summer near Fayetteville, we had tiny black mosquitoes that could come through the screens. Long summer.

If you wouldn't mind a lizard or salamander for a pet...........maybe carry it on your shoulder?



-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Tuesday 21st of October 2014 04:46:01 PM

__________________

Cathy, Alfred, Andrew & Rinnie/Yellow Dog/Sparky

Theme Song:  "Born To Be Alive"

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 255
Date:

Why do you think I moved away from hot, muggy, buggy Florida??? I'm guessing you haven't met chiggers yet. Like some parts of Texas everything you meet bites you. Yankee blue hairs swarm during the winter. In addition to driving the wrong way they sometimes drive on sidewalks and often mistake the gas pedal for the brake. Avoid parking behind them and walking behind their cars, particularly at Walmart, they forget they have rearview mirrors.

__________________
Dyana L. Smiley


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

Well.. Just dropped about 150 on industrial pest control concentrates that are banned in a few states...
One of them has the same active ingredient as the "home defense ortho" brand.. except that store stuff is way less potent.

Will be spraying my RV sites the day I move in.. as most of these last for months.. The next group will enjoy a less buggy environment as well.

This site seems to have the stuff at decent prices..

www.domyownpestcontrol.com/

Picking up 100% deet in the am.. been using 25%.. These bugs down here laugh at that..lol

As to the southern silver backs types... Yea, been almost run over in the parking lots a few times.. What kills me, is these folks seem to go buy the most expensive ride they can.. escalades, Caddy wagons, mercedes.. etc.. and they don't know how to drive ! I wonder what they drove before ?

The wife help 2 ladies back the suv up in the walmart parking lot.. lol.. it took 5 mins.. no joke.. back and forth, back and forth..Crazy state..Way worse than vegas, that way..

__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 980
Date:

Anything with a high concentration of DEET helps, Citronella plants and candles help too. We have 4 little Tiki torches that we set out if open flames are allowed. The other factor that helps is to limit the amount of aftershave you may use. Different deodorants also attract the bugs. The more you smell like something good to snack on, the more bugs you get.
If you smoke it's worse as the increased level of CO2 is the common attractant.



-- Edited by Alie and Jims Carrilite on Tuesday 21st of October 2014 06:52:20 PM

__________________

Carrilite Home

Volvo Pickup

Alie & Jim

Morgan- DD

Sallie- 4 legged lab

Tabitha & Brooke -other furballs

FullTiming since March 2013



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1395
Date:

And this is what she said: "I don't like spiders and snakes and that's not what it takes to love me; Woo Hoo!!" LOL!!! What you need is a large turbo-fan to blow them bugs far away!! When I lived down there I had one of those blue-light bug zappers; the bugs thought it was a blue light special at KMart; would have to empty it every morning of the non-survivors.
In the south you don't hang outside after the sun goes down and you need to wait one hour after sunrise to go outdoors! Spiders and Snakes and Big Lizards don't care what time of the day it is!!!
If you don't like the cold and snow and strong winds of Winter; Then you need to put up with the other little inconvieniences! PIEERE


__________________

Life is too short. Live it Now!

Currently at Shady Acres RV Park   Lebanon; Tennessee

http://1Irishrover.blogspot.com

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 980
Date:

Forgot to add that a nice smokey campfire works real well!

__________________

Carrilite Home

Volvo Pickup

Alie & Jim

Morgan- DD

Sallie- 4 legged lab

Tabitha & Brooke -other furballs

FullTiming since March 2013



RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 12
Date:

Noseeums are typically around salt water marsh areas. That's why I bought a RV. Anywhere but Fl.

__________________

2014 New Horizon. 2009 Volvo 670 with Smart car on the deck. 

"what we do in life echoes in eternity"

vmmonline.org



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

I like .. "things that crawl, things that fly, things that creep around on the ground" ... Legend of wooly swamp..lol

I may get those torches.. was worried the dog would knock it over..

Been having fires.

Have a small box fan. Time for a upgrade..lol



__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 281
Date:

And here I thought our discovery of chiggers, banana spiders with huge webs, scorpions, wasps with saddles on their backs, rat, copperhead & water moccasin snakes and black widows, red ants, fire ants and supposed huge wild hogs - all who want to consume humans - was bad! DEET is good.

__________________

Linda  

5er: 2014 Dynamax Trilogy 3650RL (#311!) "Dagny" ~> bossed around by "Roth" the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW & may follow in MY Jeep Wrangler that I can not give up just yet

Web site/Blog site: http://conservativerv.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 194
Date:

We spent one winter in Florida. Its Arizona for us from now on.


__________________

Sue

2012 Mobile Suites 36TKSB4 pulled by a

2011 Ford F450

2005 Lance 1181 Truck Camper- our vacation home

http://soos-ontheroad.blogspot.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

soos wrote:

We spent one winter in Florida. Its Arizona for us from now on.


 I think we will be the same... we just came from Vegas for 7 years... Best weather, no bugs... well, roaches .. but they are easily controlled.

We thought we'd check out some coastlines, and ocean and all that.  1 winter here may turn out to be enough to last a lifetime.

 



__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 60
Date:

We are in Florida right now and have been using Bath and Body Works Japaneese Cherry Blossom body spray. It seems to work good plus it has sparkles so we look nice too! Ha!

__________________

ND Air National Guard/Retired
2014 Cardinal Fifthwheel by Forest River/2009 RAM 3500



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3721
Date:

We are not seeing that many bugs here in Wildwood, Florida.

__________________

Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

bjoyce wrote:

We are not seeing that many bugs here in Wildwood, Florida.


 I think these noseems are salt or brackish water bugs? 

 

I was up by you today, windows down.. roof open.. no bugs.. Inverness, same thing..

Nope .. just here.. tried to eat out side earlier.. had to come in..

 

Is that why the villages are popular with some people? 



-- Edited by The Junkman on Thursday 23rd of October 2014 06:54:38 PM

__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3721
Date:

The Villages is its own world, over 100,000 people who mostly get around on golf carts. You should take the free bus tour to learn more.

__________________

Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

bjoyce wrote:

The Villages is its own world, over 100,000 people who mostly get around on golf carts. You should take the free bus tour to learn more.


 There's bus tour ? lol.. Didn't realize it was a attraction. Just looked like alot of retired people living.. or dieing.. depending how you look at it..

I know it has more going on that inverness or Homosassa. lol .. Just got back from the big cooter fest... don't bother..lol



__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 258
Date:

We were there a few weeks ago. No need for a bus tour...just drive right in. That was one of Mitt Romney's favorite place to campaign a few years ago! They have their own radio station piped in throughout the place.

__________________

Jim & Diana

2007 Colorado 31 RL  5th wheel

2008 F350 Larait SRW 6.4L Diesel, crew cab, long box - PullRite Superglide 15K hitch

Follow us at:  http://www.exploRVistas.com



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 250
Date:

The Junkman wrote:
bjoyce wrote:

The Villages is its own world, over 100,000 people who mostly get around on golf carts. You should take the free bus tour to learn more.


 There's bus tour ? lol.. Didn't realize it was a attraction. Just looked like alot of retired people living.. or dieing.. depending how you look at it..

I know it has more going on that inverness or Homosassa. lol .. Just got back from the big cooter fest... don't bother..lol


 I visited the Villages a couple of years ago. Things must have changed a lot since I was there, because there was a lot of partying going on back then. The average age didn't look that old. I liked it a lot. If it were closer to the Gulf of Mexico would consider living there if we ever came off the road.



__________________

Gene & Eileen

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 932
Date:

Alie and Jims Carrilite wrote:

Forgot to add that a nice smokey campfire works real well!


 That's what we used on every day it wasn't to hot and it worked great.  Lee also let the spiders run rampant oupside the rig and they kept the insect population down.  Amazing how fast those guys will spin a web When your not moving.  



__________________

 Trace 

Ford F350 Super Duty 4x2.  Open Range 386FLR

Follow our journey at www.camperchronicles.com

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

TheNewhalls wrote:
The Junkman wrote:
bjoyce wrote:

The Villages is its own world, over 100,000 people who mostly get around on golf carts. You should take the free bus tour to learn more.


 There's bus tour ? lol.. Didn't realize it was a attraction. Just looked like alot of retired people living.. or dieing.. depending how you look at it..

I know it has more going on that inverness or Homosassa. lol .. Just got back from the big cooter fest... don't bother..lol


 I visited the Villages a couple of years ago. Things must have changed a lot since I was there, because there was a lot of partying going on back then. The average age didn't look that old. I liked it a lot. If it were closer to the Gulf of Mexico would consider living there if we ever came off the road.


apx Median age is 66 there..

Yep.. retirement communities. 

I think communities like these around county are great .. and pretty sure i will die in one.. or a condo community.. I prefer the AZ ones though, I think.. not sure..

 



__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

Lee and Trace wrote:
Alie and Jims Carrilite wrote:

Forgot to add that a nice smokey campfire works real well!


 That's what we used on every day it wasn't to hot and it worked great.  Lee also let the spiders run rampant oupside the rig and they kept the insect population down.  Amazing how fast those guys will spin a web When your not moving.  


 oh no.. I've sprayed the underneath of the entire rig, my truck, and the car..lol .. i don't see many crawling bugs around those..

Plus now, I just received the super duper pesticides i will be hitting the entire property with today.. as we decided to stay another month.. getting tied up looking at junk properties for investment.



__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 487
Date:

We live in Punta Gorda Florida - going on 2 years now and we find very few if any bugs and snakes - we are on the Gulf of Mexico and most days are spent outside - always a breeze off the ocean - sounds like you are perhaps inland - try the west coastline for a cure to your problems.



__________________

2012 - 31 foot NEXUS Class C with one slide out.

Progressive EMS/Surge

Pressure Pro TPMS

WiFi Ranger Mobile Boost

2012 Honda Fit in tow 

BLOG LINK1: http://rvpainter.blogspot.com/

BLOG LINK2: http://art4rvs.blogspot.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

We are in Homosassa springs.. on the gulf coast...on a channel of it actually, or swamp.. We have a boat launch and the channel takes you to the ocean.

I'm told the no seeem's like salt and brackish water.. not fresh water..We also sit right next to a wild life, preserve.. no roads or people.

We just cancelled our reservations at bay bayou for Nov.. gonna hang out here another month and try and find a cheap property to flip or rent..Seems to be some deals around this part of the state..
Drove by like 20 dumps today..lol
Here's our view.so you can tell what it is.. Bugs, snakes, spiders, ... lots of birds, some otters, fish jumping.. etc..btw .. this rents for $650/mo..w/screen bldg, and dwelling w/ washer dryer, fridge..etc..
It's nice..First 1.5 mo was fine. Noticed the colder weather is nice too.. everything goes..I hope it freezes tonight..lol






-- Edited by The Junkman on Saturday 25th of October 2014 04:19:17 PM

__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 487
Date:

This certainly explains the bugs and snakes!

__________________

2012 - 31 foot NEXUS Class C with one slide out.

Progressive EMS/Surge

Pressure Pro TPMS

WiFi Ranger Mobile Boost

2012 Honda Fit in tow 

BLOG LINK1: http://rvpainter.blogspot.com/

BLOG LINK2: http://art4rvs.blogspot.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 972
Date:

Yea, I'm starting to understand why the villages are popular...lol and the other central fl communities..lol

Soundslike right on the water of the coastlines may be great too..



__________________

 

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 980
Date:

If you can stay at a coastal area where your not hemmed in by tree's it helps..... a lot. Keeping a breeze is necessary to outdoor comfort.

__________________

Carrilite Home

Volvo Pickup

Alie & Jim

Morgan- DD

Sallie- 4 legged lab

Tabitha & Brooke -other furballs

FullTiming since March 2013

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us