Regional Pests?

**druthb00** · 05-12-2010, 12:56 PM

In Indiana we had these little lady bug-like beatles that would swarm over the sides of the house and screen windows in late summer/early fall. In addition, there were wood/sand burrowing wasps that were black and had very scary flight patterns, up, down, zig zagging, I HATED those things. They are parasidic and would catch great big flying grass hoppers that were 3 times there size and then lay eggs in them. What's worse is that you can't kill them. Ick!

We would visit family in Michigan every summer. My uncle has a cottage on a lake and there were fish flies EVERYWHERE.

In Florida, it seems I am witnessing love bug season for the first time. I've been dodging the little suckers while walking down the outdoor steps to the ground level of the apartment building. They float around with no real direction. I didn't know they were love bugs until I asked one of the office girls today what they were, and did they bite. LOL.

So....anyone else have interesting (if gross LOL) pest situations in their state/region?

**pat in east texas** · 05-12-2010, 01:45 PM

I dread junebug season - usually in May here. I haven't seen them yet this year, but I know they're coming soon. They don't hurt a thing, but they're noisy and love to land on folks with a big "plop".

**baxjul** · 05-12-2010, 02:00 PM

LOL, the lovebugs are just starting! It's the huge (big as my whole hand) spiders that I don't like.

**JerryG** · 05-12-2010, 02:03 PM

In Arizona we have carpenter bees. They're big, black, noisy as hell and curious. They'll come and hover 2 inches from your face. They don't bite or sting but simply freak you out.

We have scorpions. 'Nuf said.

Out in the desert, especially if there's cattle nearby, we have horse flies. Those are evil and the stings hurt!

Of course we have Africanized bees. Those can be deadly and scary.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-12-2010, 03:10 PM

Cicadas are loud, but mostly harmless. We get locusts from time to time, but haven't had any major swarms or damage yet.

What kills me in the summer are the chiggers and the tiny invisible mosquitoes.

**Russ** · 05-12-2010, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

Cicadas are loud, but mostly harmless. .

Now you're really going to think I'm loony... To me, nothing says a summer evening like the sound of Cicadas! It's AWESOME!

Lightning bugs are awesome, another summer time favorite.

**shp1055** · 05-12-2010, 06:32 PM

Here in Lou-zee-ana we have an untold number of pests:

Fire ants...painful & leave blisters
Red wasps..painful & I'm allergic
Potato beetles...look like an orange lady bug; swat one & it stinks to high heaven
We too have those horse flies...double painful
Buffalo gnats...they bite, it hurts and then you get a softball, sometimes volleyball sized swelling around the bite. some are allergic.
Lovebugs here too..make a nasty mess on your windshield/front grill of your car & they'll fly into your mouth when out walking.
Stinkbugs!!!...need I say more?

Then there's the cottonmouth!!! One got my sister's 10 year old granddaughter. She got over it initially, but had every known side effect for several months. Scary indeed.

I love the lightening bugs too.

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-12-2010, 06:39 PM

No Russ it's a MI. thing-add frogs in the pond,crickets and an occasional bullfrog and it's orchestra night!!

Druth-those are May flies or Fish flies. On Put-IN-Bay isalnd (ohio) they were so thick they would smother you. But they are short lived. The streets are so thick it makes a crunching sound when you walk. It was kind of surreal.

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-12-2010, 07:38 PM

I don't know of anything regional. We have junebugs, which scare the life out of me, and the mosquitos are unbearable in some places. Other than that, I've never encountered anything too bothersome.

**Labontet** · 05-12-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by druthb00

In Indiana we had these little lady bug-like beatles that would swarm over the sides of the house and screen windows in late summer/early fall. In addition, there were wood/sand burrowing wasps that were black and had very scary flight patterns, up, down, zig zagging, I HATED those things. They are parasidic and would catch great big flying grass hoppers that were 3 times there size and then lay eggs in them. What's worse is that you can't kill them. Ick!

We would visit family in Michigan every summer. My uncle has a cottage on a lake and there were fish flies EVERYWHERE.

In Florida, it seems I am witnessing love bug season for the first time. I've been dodging the little suckers while walking down the outdoor steps to the ground level of the apartment building. They float around with no real direction. I didn't know they were love bugs until I asked one of the office girls today what they were, and did they bite. LOL.

So....anyone else have interesting (if gross LOL) pest situations in their state/region?

I am with you on the Love Bugs. They are really nasty! They come down here twice a year, April-May and about Oct-Nov. Boy, do they smell nasty. Oh, be careful to not open your mouth too wide when outside with them.

**Palooka** · 05-13-2010, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

Now you're really going to think I'm loony... To me, nothing says a summer evening like the sound of Cicadas! It's AWESOME!

Lightning bugs are awesome, another summer time favorite.

Yep same here!

There is nothing worse than a Junebug landing in your hair and trying to get it out!

I usually run screaming.

**frugalfranny** · 05-13-2010, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

Lightning bugs are awesome, another summer time favorite.

The first time I ever saw a lightning bug was in Costa Rica...damn near scared me to death....was walking alone and about had a heart attack. But I love them.......wish we had them here.

Originally Posted by shp1055

Here in Lou-zee-ana we have an untold number of pests:

Then there's the cottonmouth!!! One got my sister's 10 year old granddaughter. She got over it initially, but had every known side effect for several months. Scary indeed.

I love the lightening bugs too.

Ok---have to ask.......are you talking a snake?.......or what?
You have got some wicked creatures down yonder!!!

We have stink bugs too.........two different kinds.....one green and one brown. Saw the wicked ants that you mentioned in C. Rica too...no thanks, you can keep them!

**Palooka** · 05-13-2010, 03:16 AM

We was horrible and cruel as kids. I remember running in my back yard at night with my friends to try and catch as many lightning bugs as we could. We put them in a Mason jar and slept with them in our rooms. Sorta like a night light.

Of course now I wouldn't hurt them. I enjoy counting how many 'lights' on a beautiful summer night.

**leighcat** · 05-19-2010, 06:22 PM

My least favorite pest is people who drive badly. We have lots of them here in Florida

.

**druthb00** · 05-19-2010, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by leighcat

My least favorite pest is people who drive badly. We have lots of them here in Florida

.

Ahhh! Doesn't anybody use turn signals down here? It's so funny yet so irritating at the same time. I've never been anywhere where there were fewer people using turn signals LOL. I was just telling BF yesterday that as I was coming home, a half mile from the apartment complex, I was following a string of cars. One by one they all turned off onto different side streets. NOT ONE of the five people used a turn signal lol.