Insect Season

[Wayne Wells]

When are the high and low seasons as far as biting insects?

I was camping at Flamingo a few years ago in April or May, if I remember correctly, and I have never seen mosquitos like that. The bug meter in the Everglades NP is a lot different than the bug meter in our newest NP here in SC. What they rate as bad in Congaree Swamp, isn't even in the same galaxy as bad in the Everglades.

I spent a week in February 2009 at Flamingo, and the mosquitos were almost non-existent. February 2010 was worse but not bad, as long as you put spray on.

Was the difference between 2009 and 2010 due to the heavy amount of rainfall that I understand has been  experienced this year?

Thanks,

WW

[yakmaster]

Rain levels make a difference...but the biggest difference is temp & wind and at the begining of the season... when the 1st rains come in.

Even if it rains some, if it's cold & windy, you'll be OK. But if the wind dies down & it warms up, they'll be out. And when those first monsoons rehydrate the prairies...watch out.

There's a reason that the tourist season in Florida has historically been the winter & the summer was called the "OFF" season. The summer could just as easily have been named for Cutters or any other brand of mosquito repellant.

How early & or late the seasons come together is a function of when it warms up/cools down and when the summer rains start/stop. December to early March are almost 100% light bug season, but even then, watch out in the shade or when the wind dies down especially @ sunset. May to September are generally nasty year after year. That leaves March, April, October & November as variables.

Also, in the fresh water, the very begining of the season is the worst. Once the skeeter population soars, the mosquito fish population climbs and when they find balance it can be almost bearable, but stay out of the shade and stay in the wind.

The folks up north say that they have bad skeeters, but let me tell you Alaskan bugs are big, but they're slow & stupid. Our's are quick & can read & write.

[vivian]

Wayne, Yakmaster has summed it up well it is really hit/miss in the shoulder months. The wind is great to rid the campsite of most bugs (except the no see um when they are really bad) but make paddling a chore. I don't camp after the second week in April sometimes we get a surprise cold front even that late in the season. Mid November is when I start backpacking trips in the Big Cypress and if a good cold front comes in I will plan a paddle trip in the Everglades by Thanksgiving.


It always baffles me when I get emails from folks up north asking about camping in the Everglades in the summer. Although I try to warn them they don't ever believe me or others who live here year round. Between the bugs, intense tropical heat and daily lightning storms you would be better off renting a hotel room at Everglades City or Chokoloskee and enjoying day trips in the early morning to come back before the rains start at noonish.

[Jared E]

I've heard good things about the ThermaCell insect repellent device. Has anyone here used it?

-Jared E.

[Chris]

Jared,

I have used a Thermacell with great results. I wouldn't go on a trip without it, regardless of the season. I use them while hunting hogs in the summer. Even sitting in a flodded cypress hammock, It does a great job of making the mosquitos "bug off." I'm not convinced of its ability to keep noseeums away, but there isn't muh that will when they are really bad.

Does anyone know if the bugs are bad yet this year? I am fully expecting to get eaten up when paddling the Hells Bay Canoe trail later this week, but I am hoping that it will ease up when we get to more open areas. Any thoughts?

[Jared E]

Chris,

My brother and I just paddled from Coots Pond, through Coots Bay, Mud Lake, into Bear Lake and then back via Bear Lake trail, up Buttonwood and back into Coots bay and coots pond. We had a great time! We even ran into some "Skunk Apes" clearing out some debris from the trail. All in all I think I had 2-3 mosquito bites. Based on the weather I'd say there may be some bugs on Tuesday Wednesday but shouldn't be to bad. Once we get some rain + warm weather look out!

-Jared E.

[Chris]

Jared.....Exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks!

[yakmaster]

When'd you go? I was out there yesterday on the same route!

Same skeeter report, same view of the future.

Speaking of conditions, has anybody been on the Turner recently? How's the water level? I'm supposed to be out there on Saturday.

[Jared E]

Yak,

I did the Coots Pond to Bear Lake trip on the 20th. If you saw the dirty white Dodge with the ladder racks that was me.

On Feb. 6 I did Turner River to Chokoluskee with Miami101 and on the 13th I did half of Turner river with my wife and oldest son (4yrs old).

The water level on Turner was great, and with the rain we get this week my guess is that it should be pretty good on Saturday.

-Jared E.

[Miami101]

I been about twice a week, and more. It not that bad out there, but I did see it pick up some last week........

[Wayne Wells]

How is the mosquito count as of 11/04/2010.

[Kim Gass]

Is there a bug condition website?

BTW I am looking at little white specks floating by the window and they dont have wings. November and insects just dont jibe in my mind.

[Wayne Wells]

No bug condition site that I know of.
Unless the Everglades Exploration Network posts a bite index ;-)
Are those "white specks" refered to by the common man or woman as "snow"?
I have found myself with a week off and want to head south to enjoy anything better than drizzling wet mist.
The park Ranger on duty said the bugs are very low on the scale.
Confirmation would be great. Looking to bring the bike, camera, and kayak.
Thanks